NCT00633737

The Effects of Stress Reduction on Surgical Wound Healing

The Effects of Stress Reduction on Surgical Wound Healing: A Randomised Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 70 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Auckland, New Zealand · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a stress reduction intervention prior to surgery can improve wound healing and recovery.The investigators hypothesise that patients who receive a psychological stress reduction intervention prior to surgery will report lower stress and higher perceived control, have lower stress hormones, better wound healing and better self-reported recovery than patients who receive standard care alone.

Detailed description

In previous prospective research, psychological stress has been shown to slow the healing of small superficial wounds and impair surgical healing. We will investigate whether a psychological intervention to reduce stress can improve surgical healing. Ninety patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be randomised to receive either standard care or a brief pre-surgical psychological intervention plus standard care. Patients will complete a pre-surgical questionnaire to assess stress, anxiety, depression, illness perceptions and current health, at least 3 days prior to surgery. Then the intervention will be delivered. A second questionnaire on the morning of surgery will reassess stress, anxiety and illness perceptions to see whether the intervention has reduced stress and increased control perceptions. Plasma catecholamines and salivary cortisol will be tested to assess the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing stress-related hormones and to investigate their role in wound healing. During surgery 2 small expanded polytetrafluroethylene tubes will be inserted in the wound, which will be removed after 7 days. Wound healing will be assessed by hydroxyproline and total protein deposition in the tubes, as well as by the presence of wound infection. Patients' post-surgical recovery, including pain and fatigue, will also be assessed. If this brief psychological intervention can improve wound healing and aid recovery, it would provide a simple strategy to improve outcomes in surgery.

Conditions

• Wound Healing
• Stress
• Surgery

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Stress reduction intervention	In addition to standard care, patients in the intervention group will receive a one-hour individually delivered programme administered once by a psychologist at least 3 days prior to surgery. This session aims to reduce stress and involves teaching relaxation and guided imagery exercises. Patients are provided a CD (or audiotape)of the relaxation instructions to take home and practice once a day.

Timeline

• Start date: 2008-03-01
• Primary completion: 2010-05-01
• Completion: 2010-12-01
• First posted: 2008-03-12
• Last updated: 2013-12-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: New Zealand