The Impact of Meditation on Anxiety and Post-Operative Pain in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Urological Surgery

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Pediatric Kidney Disease

• Registration Number: NCT06858267
• Lead Sponsor: Augusta University

Brief Summary

1. The aim of this study is to assess anxiety in pediatric patients preoperatively, perioperatively, and postoperatively and whether meditation reduces anxiety in the days before, during, and after the surgery.

2. The second aim of this study is to see if longitudinal meditation is associated with decreased postoperative pain by examining whether the group prescribed meditation has reduced pain medication intake, measured by the frequency of liquid analgesic medicine intake.

Detailed Description

Up to 70% of pediatric patients experience preoperative and perioperative anxiety. The anxiety level of their parents or guardians also affects the anxiety levels of pediatric patients themselves. Anxiety levels often peak during the time of anesthesia induction, suggesting the unfamiliar physical environment plays a role in increasing anxiety levels. Pediatric anxiety often manifests in various ways such as strong emotions, physical noncompliance, and regression. Pre-operative anxiety has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular events during the operation, increase difficulty gaining access to intubation, and increase anesthetic requirements. The effects of pre-operative anxiety do not end once the operation is complete. Rather, there have been suggestions that preoperative anxiety has a positive association with postoperative pain and prolonged hospital stay. Thirteen percent of pediatric surgical patients have postoperative pain that interferes with their daily activities or sleep patterns. In addition, 25-63% of pediatric patients who undergo urological surgeries experience moderate to severe pain on postoperative day 1 and the pain decreases but persists for 2 days on average. Therefore, it is worthwhile to explore noninvasive and adaptable methods to decrease preoperative anxiety among the patient and their guardians'.

Mindfulness is turning one's awareness of past and future events inward to focus on the present time. The practice provides an opportunity for people to reflect on their current internal conditions in a space and time that is not pressured, which can improve their ability to healthily and effectively respond to those conditions. One such study proposed that trait mindfulness and perceived anxiety have an inverse relationship. While another showed those with higher levels of trait mindfulness have increased resistance to stress and psychological flexibility. By embracing the entire spectrum of emotions one may encounter in the present or about a future event, people may be able to feel relief instead of increased anxiety or worry.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2025-02-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-02-27
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study Start: 2025-03-01
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-05
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-07
• Primary Completion: 2027-12-30
• Study Completion: 2028-12-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 6-18
• Pediatric urology patients at Children's Healthcare of Georgia in Augusta, GA; scheduled for any urological surgery
• Otherwise, healthy patients
• Must record any medical history and medications
• Must record prior attempts of meditation therapy
• Children must provide assent

Exclusion Criteria

• History of any prior surgeries
• History of anxiety or anxiety-related disorders
• Diagnosis of developmental delay

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Preoperative Meditation may decrease preoperative anxiety among the patient and their guardians. And to see if longitudinal meditation is associated with decreased postoperative pain by examining frequency of liquid analgesic medicine intake.	Active participation in the study will last for about one month, this includes three weeks pre-operatively and one week post-operatively. Total duration of the project is approximately two years.	Number of participants with meditation as assessed to change pain label from baseline in pain score on the scale at 1-week postoperative condition. The final questionnaire survey will be done 1 week postoperatively to assess how much pain the patient is still in after the quantity of analgesic usage logged throughout the week.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Augusta University; 🇺🇸 Augusta, Georgia, United States