Mind–Body Interventions Impact Patient Anxiety Levels After Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

BACKGROUND: Orthopedic surgery can trigger anxiety that negatively impacts patient experience and recovery. PURPOSE: This pilot study investigated if a compassionate interaction combined with standardized mind-body techniques could reduce patient anxiety levels during the initial postoperative phase for patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: Participants were 36 postsurgical hospital inpatients guided through a 10-minute mind-body breathing and visualization intervention on post-op day zero (POD 0) and on post-op day one (POD 1). Quantitative data included before and after Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) reports, heart rate values, and pulse oximetry readings. RESULTS: Significant decreases in VAS-A and heart rate values as well as increases in pulse oximetry values were demonstrated on both POD 0 and POD 1. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a brief mind-body intervention can reduce reported anxiety levels and induce physiologic benefits for hospitalized patients post-TKA and suggest the possibility that such interventions could reduce anxiety in a broader patient population.