The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative preparation based on instruction and relaxation in the clinical evolution and the behavior of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, in a general hospital in the state of Paraná. Twenty patients aged between 51 and 73, with a socio-economic status between low and medium-high, were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in one session of instruction and another of relaxation before surgery and the control group received standard preparation performed by the hospital. Intervention effects were evaluated by blood cortisol level, Beck Anxiety Inventory, patient behavior in the Intensive Care Unit and the clinical outcome. We found statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in terms of less agitated behavior in the Intensive Care Unit, blood cortisol level before surgery, a decrease in the degree of anxiety and intra-group clinical outcomes. The intervention appears to have produced positive effects on behavior and clinical outcomes.
Instructional control; Preoperative psychological preparation; Health psychology; Relaxation
