Relaxation Therapy Reduces Postoperative Pain

A new relaxation technique, called "systematic relaxation,” can substantially reduce pain in patients after they have undergone surgery, according to a study conducted by Thai researchers.

The technique, which consists of sequentially relaxing each major muscle group in the body, was able to improve comfort by more than 50%, compared to patients not using the technique. The trial occurred during the 15 minutes after patients took their first walk following surgery. Since walking increases postoperative pain, the investigators wanted to see if after returning to bed and resting for 15 minutes, the pain was less in those who used relaxation compared to those who did not.

Patients in the relaxation group used a tape recorder and listened to an audio tape that asked them to lie in a comfortable position in bed, close their eyes, and relax each major body part, in succession, starting with the feet, lower legs and hips, moving up the body toward the head. Each suggestion was given in a soft voice and was repeated a second time. The five-minute technique was then repeated three times during the 15-minute tape. At the end of the session, the patients who used relaxation were asked to open their eyes and lie quietly for a few minutes.

"The patients who underwent this complementary therapy for pain reported feeling less sensation and pain during 15 minutes following the first walk after gynecologic, intestinal, and exploratory abdominal surgeries,” said Varyunyupa Roykulcharoen, Ph.D., R.N., a researcher in the France Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH, USA) who is currently an assistant professor at Red Cross College of Nursing (Bangkok, Thailand). The findings were reported in the September 2004 issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing.

The relaxation group reported 55% less post-test sensation and pain than those in the control group, who just rested in bed. Fewer participants in the relaxation group requested pain medicine in the next six hours, and nearly all reported that systemic relaxation reduced their pain and increased their sense of control.




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