Complementary Care Interventions to Reduce Perioperative Anxiety

Abstract

vidence indicates that the global prevalence of anxiety among surgical patients is almost 50%, although it can be as high as 97%, depending on such factors as the surgery type and patient characteristics. 1 One study found that anxiety was frequently mentioned by patients as being the worst part of the perioperative period. 2 Specific patient concerns can include fears regarding death; medical errors; waking up during surgery; and possible complications after surgery, including disability. 1 According to Mary Alice Anderson, PhD, RN, CNOR, AORN senior perioperative practice specialist, anxiety emphasizes pain and can be linked to many other negative effects in the postoperative period. "You end up taking more medication, you do not emerge from anesthesia as quickly, and you can stay longer in the hospital," she said. "All of this could potentially be lessened by just reducing anxiety." Although preoperative sedatives can be used to decrease anxiety, they also can cause adverse effects, such as delayed recovery. 3,4 Evidence points to the benefits of a variety of complementary care interventions (Sidebar 1) to reduce perioperative anxiety in adult and pediatric patients. 5