P02.41
Purpose: Women undergoing surgical procedures for suspected gynecologic malignancies frequently experience pain and psychological distress following surgery. Yoga may reduce these negative surgical outcomes. The primary objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of implementing and evaluating a perioperative brief Yoga Skills Training (YST) in this population.
Methods: We recruited adult women who were scheduled to undergo an exploratory laparotomy for suspected gynecologic malignancy. The YST consisted of three 30-minute sessions, one before and two after surgery held in the patient's hospital room. Feasibility (e.g., rate of accrual, adherence, retention) and acute effect of the YST on symptoms (i.e., ratings of pain and distress immediately before and after each YST) were assessed.
Results: Of 19 women approached, 10 enrolled in the study (age M=54.7 years; 90% White). The most common reason for declining was not interested (n=7). Three women discontinued the study for different reasons: one did not have surgery, one due to scheduling, and one withdrew after one YST session. Of the 8 participants who received the YST (24 possible sessions), three sessions prior to surgery were missed because of scheduling and the only post-surgical YST sessions missed were by the participant who withdrew. Acute pain and psychological stress decreased from before to immediately after the YST session with moderate to large effects: pain, d's=−0.67 to −0.95; distress, d's=−0.66 to −1.08. In addition, participants qualitatively reported that they valued learning how to relax.
Conclusion: These data demonstrated reasonable rates of recruitment, retention and adherence to YST sessions post-surgery. In addition, patients were able to relax and experience short-term reductions in pain and distress in the inpatient setting. Thus, results support the feasibility of investigating the YST in this population. Next steps include evaluating the efficacy of the YST implemented post-surgery for reducing post-operative pain and distress.
Contact: Suzanne Danhauer, danhauer@wakehealth.edu
