CLEVELAND (October 18, 2004) A study conducted by researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that patients who used a relaxation technique, called "systematic relaxation," experienced a substantial decrease in pain after undergoing surgery. The systemic relaxation technique, which consists of sequentially relaxing each major muscle group in the body, was shown to improve comfort by more than 50 percent compared to patients not using the technique. Patients in the study could also request pain medication.

The study was conducted at a large hospital in Thailand in 2002 and was published in the September 2004 issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing.

The randomized clinical trial occurred during the 15 minutes after patients took their first walk after surgery. Since walking increases post-operative pain, the investigators wanted to see if after returning to bed and resting for 15 minutes, the pain was less in those who used relaxation compared to those who did not.

"What we concluded from the research is that systematic relaxation can have a significant effect on reducing pain from severe to mild levels in patients who undergo complicated surgeries," said Marion Good, Ph.D., RN, F.A.A.N at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case. "In addition, the far-reaching effects are that this kind of patient self-care may ultimately help to reduce the need for nursing care, which is important given the current costs associated with nursing care and a shortage of nurses in many countries."

Patients in the "relaxation" group used a tape recorder and listened to an audio tape which asked them to lie in a comfortable position in bed, close their eyes, and relax each major body part, in succession, starting with the feet, lower legs and hips moving up the body toward the head. Each suggestion was given in a soft voice and was repeated a second time. The five-minute relaxation technique
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Contact: Laura Massie
laura.massie@case.edu
216-368-4442
Case Western Reserve University
18-Oct-2004

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