Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 37, 444-447, Copyright © 1990 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

ARTICLES

Preoperative anxiety: detection and contributing factors

NH Badner, WR Nielson, S Munk, C Kwiatkowska and AW Gelb
Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between anxiety the night before surgery and that existing immediately preoperatively, whether anaesthetists can detect preoperative anxiety and to establish the presence of any factors that might assist in the determination of preoperative anxiety. Anxiety was measured objectively using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL). Anxiety was found to be higher in females and those not having had a previous anaesthetic, and to remain constant from the afternoon before surgery to the immediate preoperative period. Anaesthetists were found to be poor assessors of anxiety unless they specifically questioned their patients about this.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Hohener, S. Blumenthal, and A. Borgeat Sedation and regional anaesthesia in the adult patient Br. J. Anaesth., January 1, 2008; 100(1): 8 - 16. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. N. Kain, A. A. Caldwell-Andrews, D. M. Krivutza, M. E. Weinberg, S.-M. Wang, and D. Gaal Trends in the Practice of Parental Presence During Induction of Anesthesia and the Use of Preoperative Sedative Premedication in the United States, 1995-2002: Results of a Follow-Up National Survey Anesth. Analg., May 1, 2004; 98(5): 1252 - 1259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. N. Kain, A. A. Caldwell-Andrews, D. M. Krivutza, M. E. Weinberg, D. Gaal, S.-M. Wang, and L. C. Mayes Interactive Music Therapy as a Treatment for Preoperative Anxiety in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial Anesth. Analg., May 1, 2004; 98(5): 1260 - 1266. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]