THE IMPACT OF RELAXATION TECHNIQUE AND PRE-OPERATIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING ON PAIN, ANALGESIC CONSUMPTION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS ON PATIENTS SCHEDULED FOR BREAST CANCER SURGERY - A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL STUDY

摘要

Breast cancer surgery is associated with pre-surgical psychological distress that may have negative effects on post-operative evolution. The aims of our study have been to investigate the effects of pre-operative relaxing technique and psychological counselling (RT and PC) on the post-operative intensity of acute pain, analgesic consumption and psychological symptoms. In a prospective, randomized, open-labeled, controlled trial, with two parallel groups, in a single center, we included 102 patients scheduled for breast cancer either to receive or not to receive RT and PC. Patients were not blindly randomized. RT and PC were performed by a clinical psychologist. Acute post-surgical pain, psychological symptoms and analgesic consumption were assessed at different times post-operatively for a period of 48 hours. Patients in the RT and PC group (PSY-CON Group) had significantly lower intensity of pain in the recovery room, at 2, 8, 12, 24, 30 and 36 hours after surgery (p<0.05) significantly lower consumption of postoperative tramadol and NSAIDs (p<0.05) and fewer psychological symptoms after surgery (p<0.05) than patients in the control group (CONTR Group). The study indicates that pre-operative relaxation technique and psychological counselling decrease the intensity of acute post-surgical pain, post-operative analgesic consumption and psychological symptoms.