Surgery (St Vincent's) - Research Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    The effect of mindfulness training prior to total joint arthroplasty on post-operative pain and physical function: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
    Dowsey, MM ; Castle, DJ ; Knowles, SR ; Monshat, K ; Salzberg, MR ; Choong, PFM (BioMed Central, 2014-06-05)
    BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in developed nations. In Australia it afflicts 16.5% of the adult population. Total joint arthroplasty is considered the treatment of choice for end stage osteoarthritis. The number of total joint arthroplasties undertaken in Australia has doubled over the last decade (more than 80,000 procedures in 2011). The incidence of pre-operative psychological distress in this group of patients is reported between 30% and 60% and pre-operative psychological distress is associated with poorer pain and functional outcomes after surgery. This study will use a mindfulness-based psychological intervention to enhance outcomes in people undergoing total joint arthroplasty and, in addition, will test hypotheses about coping with chronic illness in an aged population. This study is the first of its kind and will provide a greater understanding of the role of a mental health enhancement program on the physical recovery of total joint arthroplasty patients. METHODS/DESIGN: One hundred and fifty people with end-stage arthritis on the waiting list for total hip or knee arthroplasty will be recruited and randomly allocated to one of two groups using computer-generated block randomisation. A randomised controlled trial adhering to CONSORT guidelines will evaluate the efficacy of a mindfulness training program (weekly group-based classes in mindfulness practice, 2 ½ hours, for 8 weeks plus a 7-hour Saturday session in Week 6) prior to total joint arthroplasty, compared to a "standard care" group who will undergo routine total joint arthroplasty. Primary outcomes will be evaluated by a blinded examiner at baseline, 3 and 12 months post-surgery, using a validated self-reported pain and physical function scale. Secondary outcomes will include i) a range of validated measures of psychological wellbeing and ii) health economic analysis. All analyses will be conducted on an intention to treat basis using linear regression models. Health economic modelling will be applied to estimate the potential cost-effectiveness of mindfulness training and total joint arthroplasty.
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    The effect of mindfulness training prior to total joint arthroplasty on postoperative pain and physical function: A randomised controlled trial
    Dowsey, M ; Castle, D ; Knowles, S ; Monshat, K ; Salzberg, M ; Nelson, E ; Dunin, A ; Dunin, J ; Spelman, T ; Choong, P (CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE, 2019-10)
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in improving pain and physical function following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). DESIGN: Two-group, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial, conducted between September 2012 and May 2017. SETTING: Single centre study conducted at a University-affiliated, tertiary hospital. INTERVENTION: People with arthritis scheduled for TJA, with a well-being score <40 (Short Form-12 Survey) were randomly allocated to a pre-surgery eight-week MBSR program or treatment as usual (TAU). OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported joint pain and function at 12 months post-surgery, assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes were knee stiffness and global improvement (WOMAC); physical and psychological well-being (Veterans RAND 12-item Health Survey); self-efficacy (Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale); and mindfulness (5-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire). RESULTS: 127 participants were randomised; 65 to MBSR and 62 to TAU, of which 45 participants allocated to the intervention and 56 participants allocated to usual care proceeded to surgery and 100 (99%) completed primary outcome measures. Greater improvements in knee pain (mean difference, -10.3 points, 95% CI -19.0 to -1.6; P = 0.021) and function (mean difference, -10.2 points, 95% CI -19.2 to -1.3; P = 0.025) at 12 months post-surgery were observed in the MBSR group compared to the TAU group. A between group difference in global scores (-9.5 points, 95% CI -17.9 to -1.1; P = 0.027) was also observed. No other differences in secondary outcomes were observed. CONCLUSION: MBSR improves post-surgery pain and function in people with psychological distress undergoing TJA. Further research is required to examine potential barriers to broader implementation and uptake.
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Systematic review of the efficacy of pre-surgical mind-body based therapies on post-operative outcome measures
    Nelson, EA ; Dowsey, MM ; Knowles, SR ; Castle, DJ ; Salzberg, MR ; Monshat, K ; Dunin, AJ ; Choong, PFM (CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE, 2013-12)
    OBJECTIVES: A large body of research has demonstrated that patient factors are strong predictors of recovery from surgery. Mind-body therapies are increasingly targeted at pre-operative psychological factors. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of pre-operative mind-body based interventions on post-operative outcome measures amongst elective surgical patients. METHODS: A systematic review of the published literature was conducted using the electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsychINFO. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a prospective before-after surgery design were included. RESULTS: Twenty studies involving 1297 patients were included. Mind-body therapies were categorised into relaxation, guided imagery and hypnotic interventions. The majority of studies did not adequately account for the risk of bias thus undermining the quality of the evidence. Relaxation was assessed in eight studies, with partial support for improvements in psychological well-being measures, and a lack of evidence for beneficial effects for analgesic intake and length of hospital stay. Guided imagery was examined in eight studies, with strong evidence for improvements in psychological well-being measures and moderate support for the efficacy of reducing analgesic intake. Hypnosis was investigated in four studies, with partial support for improvements in psychological well-being measures. Evidence for the effect of mind-body therapies on physiological indices was limited, with minimal effects on vital signs, and inconsistent changes in endocrine measures reported. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrated that the quality of evidence for the efficacy of mind-body therapies for improving post-surgical outcomes is limited. Recommendations have been made for future RCTs.