RESEARCH FINDING USING GUIDED
IMAGERY FOR
PREPARING
FOR SURGERY
August, 2006
Scope
and Cost of the Problem
In the year 2000, there were almost 40 million surgeries
performed in U.S. hospitals (Hall & Owings, 2000).
There were also 32.5 million in-office surgery procedures
in 1998, many of which routinely use some sedation (M Hall
& L Hall, 1998).
Mind-Body Approaches to Coping with
Surgery
Patients are often given drugs (sedation) to reduce and
calm them before surgery or other medical procedures.
However, sedation often increases the risk of low blood
pressure or getting too little oxygen. As a result,
researchers have looked at other ways to reduce
pre-surgical anxiety.
Some of the most effective techniques include relaxation
with guided imagery, self-hypnosis, and providing
reassuring information prior to the procedure (Ashton,
Whitworth, et al, 2000; Dreher, 1998; Faymonville,
Fissette, et al, 1995; Lang and Hamilton, 1994; Lang,
Joyce, et al, 1996; Ludwick-Rosenthal, Neufeld,
1993).
Used
before surgery, non-pharmacologigic, mind-body techniques
can reduce anxiety in adults (Bennett, 1996; Bugbee,
Wellisch, et al, 2005; Good, 2004; McCaffrey, Taylor, 2005;
Pellino, Gordon, et al, 2005), and children (Calipel,
Lucas-Polomeni, et al, 2005).
Relaxation with guided imagery
or self-hypnosis before and during surgery can shorten
procedures (Butler, Symons, et al, 2005; Halpin, Speir, et
al, 2002; Lang, Benotsch, et al, 2000; Tusek, Church, et
al, 1997). These techniques can also significantly reduce
procedural and post-surgical pain and the need for pain
medication (Antall & Kresevec, 2004; Ashton, Whitworth,
et al, 2000; Faymonville, Fissette, et al, 1995; Good,
Anderson, et al, 2005; Halpin, Speir, et al.; Huth, Broome
& Good, 2004; Lambert, 1996; Lang, Benotsch, et al,
2000; Lang & Hamilton, 1994; Lang, Joyce, et al, 1996;
Laurion & Fetzer, 2003; Manyande, Berg, et al, 1995;
Meurisse, Hamoir, et al, 1999; Montgomery, Weltz, et al,
2002; Patterson, Wiechman, et al, 2006; Rensi, Peticca
& Pescatore, 2000; Syrjala, Donaldson, et al, 1995;
Tusek, Church, et al, 1997; Weinstein & Au, 1991), even
when only used post-surgically (Nilsson, Rawal, et al,
2003).
These techniques can shorten the time it takes for
patients’ intestinal motility to return to normal (Disbrow,
Bennett & Owings, 1993; Tusek, Church, et al, 1997),
and shorten their hospital stay (Bennett, 1996; Cowan,
Buffington, et al, 2001; Disbrow, Bennett & Owings,
1993; Lambert, 1996; Meurisse, Faymonville, et al, 1996;
Rapkin, Straubing & Holroyd, 1991; Tusek, Church, et
al). There is also some evidence that these techniques can
reduce blood loss (Bennett; Enqvist, von Konow &
Bystedt, 1995; Lucas, 1975; Meurisse, Faymonville, et al),
and speed wound healing (Holden-Lund, 1988; Ginandes,
Brooks, et al, 2003; Jones, 1977).
Improvements have been shown in sleep (Gross,Kreitzer, et
al, 2005), and other psychological parameters such anxiety
(Ashton, Whitworth, et al, 2000; Gross, Kreitzer, et al;
Kanji, White & Ernst, 2004), and post-surgical anger
and depression (de Klerc, de Plessis, et al, 2004).
Several sources, including Blue Shield of California and
Cedars Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles), have reported
that patients who used guided imagery tapes to prepare for
surgery were very satisfied with them – plus, it reduced
their bills (Fontana, 2000; Holden-Lund, 1988; Naiditch,
2000). In addition, guided imagery audio tapes are
routinely used and recommended by many well respected
physicians, including Mehmet Oz, M.D., heart surgeon and
Director of the Complementary Care Center at New York’s
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center (Oz, 2000).
Conclusion
Research available to date supports the conclusion that a
low-cost guided imagery-based program to prepare patients
for surgery can help to lower pre-surgical
anxiety, reduce pain and the need for post-operative
medication, shorten procedure time and hospital stay, and
possibly reduce surgical bleeding, and speed recovery.
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