Diverse interventions to promote relaxation, such as
drug therapy, patient education, massage, aromatherapy
and reflexology, have been designed.15,16 Although there is
no standard intervention to be applied to all older patients
in order to manage their pain and reduce their anxiety,
preventive approaches using both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic
approaches should be considered to gain
optimal pain and anxiety control during hospitalization.7
Specifically, non-pharmacological methods have been recommended
as adjuvant to analgesics for reducing the
intensity of pain after surgery.5 Older patients generally
suffer from moderate to severe postoperative pain.13 Furthermore,
the side effects of opioid drugs are experienced
in these patients more frequently.17,18
Non-pharmacologic nursing measures after surgery
could help the patients both reduce their anxiety and diminish the intensity of their pain.14,19 Nonpharmacologic
pain management includes a series of
effective interventions such as relaxation.13