ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The painless clinic and postoperative pain therapy are currently major issues in the management of surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of a standardized pain therapy on the postoperative pain level after orthopaedic procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated two different groups of patients who underwent an orthopaedic surgical procedure. Group 1 (n = 249) received a pain therapy which was based on an individual and surgery-dependent concept whereas group 2 (n = 243) was treated with a standardized pain therapy concept. The effect of the treatment was monitored with a VAS-based protocol. RESULTS: Up to day 9 after surgery there was a significant difference between the two groups in regard to the postoperative pain. The patients of group 2 had less pain but had more unwanted side effects caused by the pain therapy during the first 3 days after surgery. Mobility and mental disposition were positively affected. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a standardized pain therapy is successful in reducing postoperative pain. Mobility and mental disposition are also influenced positively. As a consequence the incidence of unwanted side effects is rising.
Subject(s)
Orthopedic Procedures/statistics & numerical data , Pain, Postoperative/epidemiology , Pain, Postoperative/therapy , Postoperative Care/statistics & numerical data , Postoperative Care/standards , Quality Assurance, Health Care/standards , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
A total of 52 pharmacologically untreated subjects with essential hypertension were randomly allocated to either 8 weeks of contemplative meditation combined with breathing techniques (CMBT) or no intervention in this observer-blind controlled pilot trial. CMBT induced clinically relevant and consistent decreases in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure if measured during office readings, 24-h ambulatory monitoring and mental stress test. Longer-term studies should evaluate CMBT as an antihypertensive strategy.
