Reduction of postoperative pain parameters by presurgical relaxation instructions for spinal pain patients.

This study investigated the effects of a relaxation instruction session conducted presurgically with postsurgical pain parameters for patients undergoing spinal surgery. Results indicated that the relaxation group (n = 50) as compared with an equivalent group (n = 50) matched to type of surgery and sex type, workers compensation status had significant reduction of days of hospitalization, complaints noted by nurses, and medications (primarily demerol and phenaphen). Sex type, age, and workers compensation status were not significant factors regarding these outcome measures. The results were considered in light of the anxiety/pain explanation of pain sensitivities with implications for health care with spinal pain surgical candidates.