Psychological preparation for invasive medical and dental procedures

Abstract

Psychological preparation for invasive medical and dental procedures has been based on the rationale that high levels of preprocedural fear are detrimental to patients' subsequent adaptation. After a brief survey of the theoretical and empirical evidence pertaining to this rationale, the major psychological approaches designed to alleviate preprocedural concern and enhance recovery are discussed. Outcome studies that have employed informative, psychotherapeutic, modeling, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and/or hypnotic techniques are summarized and evaluated. Although the research suggests that each of these approaches can be effective, such serious methodological problems as heterogeneity of sample characteristics, limited range of outcome measures, and lack of manipulation checks prevent definitive conclusions. Legal-ethical concerns and the issue of cost effectiveness are also considered. Suggestions are made for future research and theory development.

Propiedades Psicométricas de la Versión Española de la Abeer Children DentalAnxiety Scale (ACDAS) para la Medición de Ansiedad Dental en Niños

“…Esta ansiedad se relaciona con miedos a que el tratamiento sea fallido, pérdida de control o muerte (de Groot, et al, 1997). Esta ansiedad se presenta en cualquier persona, puede ser de forma transitoria o crónica, y también puede producir reacciones agresivas en los pacientes que aumentan el estrés experimentado por ellos, causando un manejo del dolor mucho más difícil que el del posoperatorio (Anderson & Masur, 1983). En odontología, conductas como gritar, dar patadas en la silla odontológica, cerrar la boca con fuerza o morder al odontólogo en las manos, en la fase de pre-intervención se evidencian con relativa frecuencia.…”

Management of paediatric procedure-related cancer pain

“…The information that is most effective appears to be a combination of sensory and procedural data. 49 In actual clinical practice, preparation involves the following components: introducing the child to medical personnel; giving the child developmentally appropriate information about what will be done and how it will feel; letting the child handle equipment; having the child practice the procedure on a doll; and discussion of the child's feelings and thoughts about the procedure. Various methods have been used to provide children with information about painful medical procedures, including doll-play, hospital tours, story and colouring books, and cognitive strategies.…”

Psychosomatic Aspects of Gynecologic Oncology: Present Status and Future Directions

“…All treatment modalities have received extensive descriptive study. In addition, many interventions to reduce medical treatment distress have been evaluated [36,37]. Further research can examine individual differences in treatment efficacy, the timing of intervention delivery, and prevention models.…”