Effects of Complementary Therapies Delivered Via Mobile Technologies

Effects of Complementary Therapies Delivered Via Mobile Technologies on Surgical Patients' Reports of Anxiety, Pain, and Self-Efficacy in Healing: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Iceland

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of complementary therapies delivered via mobile technologies have a therapeutic effect on surgical patients' anxiety, pain, and self-efficacy in healing reports before, following, and at 10-day follow-up.

Patients scheduled for same-day surgery (SDS) often experience state anxiety, which may result in increased perceptions of pain and lower self-efficacy in healing. Complementary therapies (CT), such as relaxation technique, massage, guided imagery, and acupuncture have been shown to benefit patients undergoing surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of audio relaxation technique (ART), music intervention (MI), nature video application with music (NVAM), and nature video application without music (NVA) delivered via mobile technologies on patients' state anxiety, pain perception, and perceived self-efficacy in healing. Methods A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 105 SDS patients, who were assigned to an ART (n = 25), MI (n = 25), NVAM (n = 15), NVA (n = 16), or a control group (n = 24) were assessed for state anxiety via the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), self-reported pain using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and self-efficacy with the general self-efficacy scale (GSE) four days prior to surgery, immediately prior and following the surgical intervention, and at day five post-operative.

complementary medicine, state anxiety, acute pain, self-efficacy, surgery, medical music intervention, nature therapy, relaxation technique

Relaxation is a process that decreases the effects of stress on your mind and body. Relaxation techniques can help you cope with everyday stress and with stress related to various health problems, such as cancer and pain.

Nature videos of the mountains, desert, Icelandic scenery, and ocean were provided via iPads for surgical patients

Nature videos of the mountains, forest, Icelandic landscape, and the ocean were provided via iPads for surgical patients

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 105 SDS patients, who were assigned to an ART (n = 25), MI (n = 25), NVAM (n = 15), NVA (n = 16), or a control group (n = 24) were assessed for state anxiety via the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), self-reported pain using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and self-efficacy with the general self- efficacy scale (GSE) four days prior to surgery, immediately prior and following the surgical intervention, and at day five post-operative.

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 105 SDS patients, who were assigned to an ART (n = 25), MI (n = 25), NVAM (n = 15), NVA (n = 16), or a control group (n = 24) were assessed for state anxiety via the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), self-reported pain using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and self-efficacy with the general self- efficacy scale (GSE) four days prior to surgery, immediately prior and following the surgical intervention, and at day five post-operative.

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 105 SDS patients, who were assigned to an ART (n = 25), MI (n = 25), NVAM (n = 15), NVA (n = 16), or a control group (n = 24) were assessed for state anxiety via the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), self-reported pain using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and self-efficacy with the general self- efficacy scale (GSE) four days prior to surgery, immediately prior and following the surgical intervention, and at day five post-operative.

Inclusion Criteria: Age range 18-75-years English or Icelandic speaking Cognitively alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation Intact visual and auditory senses Exclusion Criteria: History of substance abuse Chronic pain lasting more than six months Use of narcotic medication for more than six months Major psychiatric disorders Taking prescribed medications for thought disorders Having ophthalmology and/or auditory surgery or impairments

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Kline GA. Does a view of nature promote relief from acute pain? J Holist Nurs. 2009 Sep;27(3):159-66. doi: 10.1177/0898010109336138.

Hansen MM. A feasibility pilot study on the use of complementary therapies delivered via mobile technologies on Icelandic surgical patients' reports of anxiety, pain, and self-efficacy in healing. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015 Mar 28;15:92. doi: 10.1186/s12906-015-0613-8.