Eficacia de una intervención cognitivo-conductual en pacientes quirúrgicos

The aim of this study was to design and test the efficacy of a psychological technique to reduce levels of anxiety and depression in surgery patients and to facilitate their recovery. The test group was composed of 30 women who were to have a hysterectomy. These women were divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The technique involved various elements: a) information; b) the expression of emotions; c) breathing, relaxation and visualization; d) exercises to facilitate recovery, and e) distribution of informative leaflets. It was observed that, compared to the control group, the experimental group suffered less anxiety, less postsurgical depression, less pain and fewer postoperative complications. The women in this group needed fewer painkillers, regained their normal bodily functions and needed a shorter hospital stay. We can thus conclude that the psychological technique designed proved efficient in facilitating the recovery of surgical patients.