Implementing a Paced Deep Breathing Module to Decrease Preoperative Anxiety in Gynecological Surgery Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Preoperative anxiety is a common occurrence for many patients undergoing all types of surgery. Patients with a high level of anxiety before surgery have been shown to have numerous negative outcomes both intra-operatively and post-operatively. Many studies have shown that preoperative psychological interventions that aim to reduce anxiety also result in improved post-operative behavioral and clinical recovery. Currently, the most common method to treat preoperative anxiety is the administration of a prescription benzodiazepine. However, there is limited clinical evidence that supports the use of sedative premedication, such as with a benzodiazepine, before surgery. Complementary integrative medical therapies including music, massage, guided imagery, and deep breathing have been proposed to minimize stress and pain in surgical patients. These therapies are thought to be effective by evoking the relaxation response through stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system and engagement of the patient in the healing process. Relaxation and deep breathing, particularly, have been shown to reduce pain, anxiety, and tension-anxiety in hospitalized patients. Based on this evidence, a guided paced deep breathing module has been proposed to reduce preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing gynecological surgery at Mayo Clinic Rochester Methodist Hospital. In this study, patients' anxiety will be assessed pre-intervention on a 0-10 numeric rating scale, as well as post-intervention and a paired t-test will be used to assess effectiveness. Additionally, qualitative questions will be administered via a questionnaire post-intervention to gain more insight on the effectiveness of the intervention. The feasibility of the intervention in the busy preoperative setting will be evaluated by assessing how many times a patient is interrupted while participating in the paced deep breathing module. If this module is found to be effective in reducing patients' anxiety, it will be implemented into practice so that every patient undergoing gynecological surgery, at the institution, will be offered the module preoperatively.

Official Title
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Implementing a Paced Deep Breathing Module to Decrease Preoperative Anxiety in Gynecological Surgery Patients

Conditions
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Anxiety

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: iPad


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Women aged 18 years or older undergoing gynecological surgery at Rochester Methodist Hospital roomed in pre-operative area on Eisenberg 1-4 English-speaking Able to complete pre- and post-intervention questionnaires Able to read and understand informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: Non-English speaking women first-case of the day gynecological surgery patients

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: meditation module<br>The patients in this arm will be offered the meditation/deep breathing module in the pre-operative area. | Device: iPad<br>* a 10 minute electronic guided deep breathing module offered via an iPad<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| change from baseline anxiety score | rated 0 (no anxiety) to 10 (worst anxiety possible) on a numeric rating scale | recorded immediately pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (once meditation module is complete) |