| Learning Objective #1: Describe a postoperative pain managment program that uses guided imagery to decrease pain and anxiety and increase function | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe the challenges to implementing a complimentary therapy program in an older surgical patient population |
The purpose of the study is to test the effects of a guided imagery intervention in the older veteran patient who undergoes joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement surgery is a common treatment for increasing numbers of older adults with severe arthritis and chronic pain. This type of surgery is however also associated with significant pain, particularly in the early postoperative period when physical therapy is initiated. If this pain is not well controlled, their therapy is delayed. When therapy is delayed the risk of complications is great and includes pulmonary emboli, pressure sores, muscle deconditioning and contractures and falls. Thus, adequate pain control without adverse side effects such as confusion and sedation is crucial to promotes comfort, participation in rehabilitation therapy, ambulation and enhanced physical functioning postoperatively. The use of nonpharmacological interventions such as guided imagery may provide safe and effective management of post-operative pain. Few studies have been done on the use of guided imagery in the early post-operative period. However studies that have used guided imagery, as an adjunct in the treatment of post-operative pain have found positive patient outcomes regarding pain, anxiety and satisfaction. None have been done on joint replacement patients. This study provides a unique opportunity to test the use of guided imagery as an adjunctive strategy for pain management among elders experiencing joint replacement surgery. The proposed randomized clinical trial will use a two-group experimental, repeated measure design to investigate guided imagery and its relationship to patient outcomes in older patients who experience orthopedic surgery. A sample of two hundred patients age 55 years and older will be recruited (N=200). The control group will consist of those patients who receive 'usual care ‘. The experimental group will be those patients who receive 'usual care' plus guided imagery.
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