Our findings parallel the findings of other studies5,6 in
supporting relaxation as a complementary method that
contributes to decreasing patients’ pain and level of
anxiety, but also report pioneering work in testing these
strategies with older patients. The study determined the
effectiveness of systematic relaxation techniques on the intensity of pain and the level of anxiety in patients undergoing
abdominal surgery. Although other authors present
evidence demonstrating the effects of relaxation techniques
on the experience of pain6,41,42 this study considers
efficacy with a previously underexplored subject group.
Additionally, the instrument used in this study is different
to that previously used18,20 in that it has been adapted
to reflect cultural differences specific to this group of
participants.6
Greater effect of the systematic relaxation techniques
may be achieved when they are administered long term;
practised in a quiet place in order to increase concentration;
there is greater body involvement; and cultural
differences are incorporated.
Use of the techniques resulted in the reduced need for
opioid analgesics. This is significant in elderly patients
because of the known side effects of opioid administration,
such as constipation and respiratory depression
which might complicate recovery. Any technique that is
patient controlled, reduces the need for pharmacological
intervention and is effective in managing pain is a useful
addition to the nursing contribution to patient recovery.
The relaxation techniques were easily practised by
older patients while resting in bed. This is consistent with
the results of other studies showing that relaxation
resulted in less pain at rest,43 and after minutes of
recovery.44 Additionally, in our study, a significant change
was seen in the level of anxiety between the groups after
the intervention, but not reported in Roykulcharoen and
Good’s6 work. The main difference between this study
and the latter was in the selection of older people as this
study’s sample.
Our findings parallel the findings of other studies5,6 insupporting relaxation as a complementary method thatcontributes to decreasing patients’ pain and level ofanxiety, but also report pioneering work in testing thesestrategies with older patients. The study determined theeffectiveness of systematic relaxation techniques on the intensity of pain and the level of anxiety in patients undergoingabdominal surgery. Although other authors presentevidence demonstrating the effects of relaxation techniqueson the experience of pain6,41,42 this study considersefficacy with a previously underexplored subject group.Additionally, the instrument used in this study is differentto that previously used18,20 in that it has been adaptedto reflect cultural differences specific to this group ofparticipants.6Greater effect of the systematic relaxation techniquesmay be achieved when they are administered long term;practised in a quiet place in order to increase concentration;there is greater body involvement; and culturaldifferences are incorporated.Use of the techniques resulted in the reduced need foropioid analgesics. This is significant in elderly patientsbecause of the known side effects of opioid administration,such as constipation and respiratory depressionwhich might complicate recovery. Any technique that ispatient controlled, reduces the need for pharmacologicalintervention and is effective in managing pain is a usefuladdition to the nursing contribution to patient recovery.The relaxation techniques were easily practised byolder patients while resting in bed. This is consistent withthe results of other studies showing that relaxationresulted in less pain at rest,43 and after minutes ofrecovery.44 Additionally, in our study, a significant changewas seen in the level of anxiety between the groups afterthe intervention, but not reported in Roykulcharoen andGood’s6 work. The main difference between this studyand the latter was in the selection of older people as thisstudy’s sample.
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