Distraction during surgery 'reduces anxiety and pain'

[Northerner]

Using a stress ball or watching a DVD during surgery can reduce a patient's anxiety levels, suggests a study from the University of Surrey.

Patients said their pain levels were also reduced by chatting to nurses while under local anaesthetic.

Nearly 400 patients were distracted in different ways while having varicose vein surgery after which their pain and anxiety levels were measured.

Simple distractions could improve the patient experience, the study said.

People can become very anxious during surgery, particularly when they are conscious while it is happening.

They may be stressed by the sights and sounds of the operating theatre, the feeling of the surgeon working on them or concerned about how well the anaesthesia is working.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31044571

 

[Copepod]

Of course distraction helps reduce anxiety and pain. I used to talk to research volunteers about all sorts of things when taking blood from them - pets / livestock, including my own ducks and cat were often good topics.