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Mind-Body Interventions Impact Patient Anxiety Levels After Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): A Pilot Study
Karen Vizyak1,2,3,4, Lisa R Davila1,2,3,4, Nicole Woods1,2,3,4
1Karen Vizyak, MSPT, RYT, Physical Medicine Director at Platte Valley Medical Center, Brighton, CO.
Background:
Orthopedic surgery can trigger anxiety that negatively impacts patient experience and recovery.
Purpose:
This pilot study investigated if a compassionate interaction combined with standardized mind-body techniques could reduce patient anxiety levels during the initial postoperative phase for patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Methods:
Participants were 36 postsurgical hospital inpatients guided through a 10-minute mind-body breathing and visualization intervention on post-op day zero (POD 0) and on post-op day one (POD 1). Quantitative data included before and after Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) reports, heart rate values, and pulse oximetry readings.
Results:
Significant decreases in VAS-A and heart rate values as well as increases in pulse oximetry values were demonstrated on both POD 0 and POD 1.
Conclusion:
These results indicate that a brief mind-body intervention can reduce reported anxiety levels and induce physiologic benefits for hospitalized patients post-TKA and suggest the possibility that such interventions could reduce anxiety in a broader patient population.
