OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of patient-controlled analgesia vs intramuscular injections improves postoperative psychological parameters, particularly anxiety. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial of patient-controlled analgesia vs as-needed intramuscular morphine with pre- and postoperative assessments of pain, mental status, narcotic use, anxiety and mood states. SETTING: General surgical wards and surgical intensive care unit at a Veterans Administration hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty-three elderly, chronically ill males undergoing major elective surgery. INTERVENTION: Subjects randomized to receive postoperative patient-controlled analgesia vs as-needed intramuscular morphine. Pre- and postoperative assessments of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, McGill-Dartmouth Part IV and Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Pain (using linear analog scale), sedation score and narcotic use assessed every 4 hours for 72 hours. RESULTS: No differences were found in state anxiety or self-perceived mood states. Postoperative state anxiety was found to relate most closely to preoperative anxiety and postoperative complications, rather than method of analgesia or severity of pain. However, patient-controlled analgesia subjects had significantly improved analgesia and increased satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The use of patient-controlled analgesia does not significantly alter the measured psychological parameters, compared with intramuscular injections. Improved analgesia is the result of pharmacologic effects, independent of psychological factors.
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1 March 1993
Articles|
March 01 1993
Effects of patient-controlled analgesia on postoperative anxiety in elderly men
Am J Crit Care (1993) 2 (2): 118–124.
Citation
AM Egbert, LL Lampros, LL Parks; Effects of patient-controlled analgesia on postoperative anxiety in elderly men. Am J Crit Care 1 March 1993; 2 (2): 118–124. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc1993.2.2.118
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