Investigating the effect of psycho-educational intervention on preoperative anxiety in bariatric surgery candidates: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anxiety is prevalent and significantly impacts surgical outcomes. Emotional states, such as anxiety in people undergoing major surgery, are undeniable because surgery is perceived as an unknown and frightening fact. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of psycho-educational intervention on preoperative anxiety in bariatric surgery candidates. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 bariatric surgery candidates, who were randomly allocated to either a control group that received routine care or an intervention group that received psycho-educational interventions. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Spielberger Trait-State Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software. RESULTS: According to the findings, patients (mean age: 34.3 ± 10.4 years; BMI: 44.7 ± 6.2) were predominantly female (75%) and married (86.7%) and underwent bypass surgery (75%). State anxiety scores were comparable preoperatively (P = 0.085) but significantly lower in the intervention group that underwent Intraoperative (P < 0.001) and Postoperative (P = 0.009) surgery. The intervention group showed a progressive decline in state anxiety (P < 0.001), while the control group had higher postoperative anxiety (P = 0.008). Trait anxiety followed a similar pattern, with no baseline difference (P = 0.058) but lower scores in the intervention group Intraoperatively and postoperatively (both P ≤ 0.05). The intervention group exhibited sustained trait anxiety reduction (P < 0.001), whereas the control group showed elevated postoperative scores (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Psycho-educational interventions might be effective in decreasing preoperative anxiety in bariatric surgery candidates. These results can be considered to facilitate postoperative recovery and minimize unwanted outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT20100919004775N11 with the Clinical Trial Registry (12.05.2019).