The Effect of Mental Imagery on Preoperative Anxiety of Elective Hernia

Introduction: Preoperative anxiety is associated with adverse effects such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, agitation, increased demand for analgesics, and prolonged postoperative hospitalization. This study aimed to investigate the impact of mental imagery on anxiety in patients undergoing hernia repair surgery. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical study, after obtaining informed written consent, 56 patients for hernia surgery were randomized into two experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, guided imagery was applied. Data was collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The collected data was analyzed using SPSS v. 20.  Results: The average age of participants was 30.8±11.22 years, and 73% of them were male. The average of STAI level in guided imagery group before intervention were 41/42±6/75 and 32/22±9/87, respectively, which decreased to 33/07±4/31 and 28/14±7/86 after intervention. On the other side, the average of STAI level in the control group were 39/71±4/58 and 29/68±8/49, respectively, which increased to 44/60±6/44 and 38/42±7/21 at the end of the study. Statistically, the paired t-test showed a significant difference between the levels of anxiety before and after study in two groups (P<0/001). Conclusion: This study cleared that performing preoperative mental imagery can reduce the STAI level in patients before surgery.