by Physicians Weekly | Oct 29, 2015
New research was presented at Anesthesiology 2015, the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ annual meeting, from October 24 to 28 in San Diego. The features below highlight some of the studies emerging from the conference. Calming Anxious Surgical Patients The Particulars: The use of conversational hypnosis in medicine consists of talking quietly and positively to patients and focusing their attention on something other than the reason why they require medical care. Little is known regarding the use of conversational hypnosis to calm anxious patients prior to surgery. Data Breakdown: For a study, patients undergoing hand surgery were randomized to conversational hypnosis plus regional anesthesia or 25 mg of oral hydroxyzine 30 to 60 minutes before anesthesia. Relaxation levels were measured using a 0-10 scale, with 0 being no comfort and 10 being maximal comfort. The Analgesia/Nociception Index (ANI), which is a 0-100 scale, was also used to measure anxiety, with 0 being very anxious and 100 being relaxed. Analgesia/Nociception Index (ANI). Patients had higher average ANI scores after hypnosis when compared with patients in the medication treatment group. Average comfort scores also improved, from 6.7 prior to hypnosis to 9.3 after the intervention. This increase was favorable to increases seen in the medication treatment group. Take Home Pearl: Conversational hypnosis appears to increase patient self-reported comfort and reduce anxiety during regional anesthesia when compared with medication. Anesthesia Requirements Vary Widely The Particulars: Current guidelines recommend that propofol use as general anesthesia during surgery be administered based on a patient’s age and weight. Few studies have assessed whether dosing can be better individualized. Data Breakdown: Researchers administered propofol in a...
