[Impact of preoperative patient education on postoperative pain in consideration of the individual coping style].
OBJECTIVE
the German guideline for the treatment of acute perioperative and post-traumatic pain (S3-Leitlinie zur Behandlung akuter perioperativer und posttraumatischer Schmerzen) recommends giving preoperative information about postoperative pain and how to influence it. It is expected that the effect of preoperative information is modified by psychological characteristics of the patient. One of these psychological characteristics is the individual coping style. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether or not patients benefit from preoperative education in relation to their level of negative coping style.


METHODS
the study is based on a 2×2 factorial experimental design with the experimental factor "treatment" (education vs control condition) and the factor "negative coping style" (high vs low). After informed consent 96 patients undergoing abdominal or vascular surgery were enrolled in the study. Outcomes were pain intensity, pain quality and psychic state. They were assessed by using numerical rating scales and psychometric methods of self-assessment. The data were collected preoperatively and on the first to third postoperative day.


RESULTS
patients who received preoperative education experience a greater reduction in postoperative pain than patients without preoperative education do (ES=0.48). The risk for stronger pain (NRS>3) on the third postoperative day is decreased (2.1 vs 14.6%). The influence of negative coping style is altogether minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
preoperative patient information has positive effects on the postoperative development of pain. Patient information is a valuable addition to the drug pain treatment. The application can be recommended regardless of the level of the patients' negative coping style.
Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universität zu Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Deutschland.
J S
JS
Gräwe
L
L
Mirow
R
R
Bouchard
M
M
Lindig
M
M
Hüppe
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011594:Psychometrics; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult