Guided imagery relaxation therapy on preoperative anxiety: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objective to evaluate the effect of relaxation therapy with guided imagery on state anxiety and cortisol in the immediate preoperative period in patients submitted to bariatric surgery by videolaparoscopy.Method a randomized, triple-blind clinical trial in a large teaching hospital in the interior of Minas Gerais. Twenty-four patients who would undergo video-laparoscopic bariatric surgery were randomly allocated in two groups, namely 12 in the control group and 12 in the experimental group. State anxiety was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and blood cortisol levels were measured before and after the intervention or standard care. Descriptive analyzes were used for the quantitative variables and Student’s t-test for independent samples, in the analysis of the differences between the state anxiety scores and cortisol levels.Results the experimental group presented a statistically significant reduction of the state anxiety scores (p = 0.005) as well as of cortisol levels (p <0.001) after the intervention.Conclusion guided imagery relaxation therapy is an effective nursing intervention for the reduction of state anxiety and blood cortisol levels in the preoperative period in patients undergoing video-laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: .

Effect of Jaw Relaxation Technique on Low Back Pain and Selected Vital Signs Among Nursing Staff: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Jaw relaxation technique is increasingly recommended as an effective pain control measure that can be used by nurses in their daily practice (Felix et al, 2018). Moreover, practicing jaw relaxation technique for about 10 minutes before starting their work will have a significant impact on their performance (Doolen, Fenj & Menzel, 2016).…”

Guided imagery relaxation therapy on preoperative anxiety: why did the authors omit pain data?

“…Two outcomes were reported in the published manuscript: state anxiety and cortisol level. The authors concluded that guided imagery relaxation is effective at reducing state anxiety and blood cortisol in the preoperative period (1) . The trial was prospectively registered with the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (RBR-5qywrf).…”

“…In our opinion, the omission of the pain data means that the reporting of the trial by Felix (1) is incomplete and inconsistent with the trial registry entry. Consequently, the reported conclusions are unsound.…”

“…Marques dos Santos Felix 1 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8431-6712 Maria Beatriz Guimarães Ferreira 1 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4487-9232 Lucas Felix de Oliveira 2 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1688-0877 Elizabeth Barichello 1 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7764-032X Patricia da Silva Pires 3 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2537-3909Maria Helena Barbosa1 …”

“…Dear editors, we read with interest the triple-blind trial of guided imagery relaxation on preoperative anxiety by Felix ( 1 ) and published in Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.…”