[Relaxation training on stress response to abdominal surgery]

In order to understand the effects of relaxation training on surgical stress response, a study was conducted among patients with abdominal surgery. Fifty-one patients were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental group (n = 25): patients received preoperative instruction and relaxation training, control group (n = 26): patients received only preoperative instruction. Anxiety state (state anxiety and physical symptoms of anxiety), blood pressure, heart rate, serum cortisone and postoperative pain of two groups were assessed and compared respectively on the third preoperative day, operation day, the first and the fourth postoperative day. Results showed that (1) there were significant differences between two groups (P < 0.05) in state anxiety scores on each day, physical symptoms on the first and fourth day after operation and severity of pain on the first postoperative day. (2) responses of systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and heart rate decreased in the experimental group. (3) Serum cortisone level decreased significantly in the experimental group on the first postoperative day (P < 0.05). This study shows that relaxation training has positive effects on surgical stress responses, especially in reducing the psychological anxiety response. Relaxation training can be served as an easy and effective method in nursing practice.