title: Therapeutic suggestions during general anaesthesia in patients undergoing hysterectomy.
abstract: In a double-blind, randomized study, we have examined the influence of positive therapeutic suggestions, presented to anaesthetized patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy, on postoperative morbidity and duration of hospital stay. Seventy-five patients were allocated randomly to be exposed to one of three tapes containing positive therapeutic suggestions, a modified history of the Queen's Medical Centre, or no message. We found that neither therapeutic suggestions nor the presence of a voice during anaesthesia improved postoperative outcome or reduced duration of hospital stay after total abdominal hysterectomy.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Standen
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Aitkenhead
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013360:Subliminal Stimulation; D013404:Suggestion; D016896:Treatment Outcome