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Peri-operative Slow-paced Breathing to Reduce Anxiety in Breast Cancer Surgery Patients

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Anxiety
Interventions
Behavioral: pre-trained guided slow paced breathing (~6 breaths per minute)
Registration Number
NCT06192225
Lead Sponsor
The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Brief Summary

The purpose of this single-center trial is to examine the effects of a slow-breathing technique performed at induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer on anxiety, scored by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, state scale (STAI-S),13 compared to usual care.

Detailed Description

Rationale: In the perioperative period anxiety for anesthesia and the surgical procedure is common. Breast cancer surgery patients have a higher level of anxiety compared to other patients undergoing (cancer) surgery. Relaxation techniques, like breath focus with deep belly breathing are easy to learn and can have a beneficial effect on postoperative anxiety, pain, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), but the quality of evidence is low. Slow paced breathing at a frequency of 6 breaths per minute can possibly increase vagal activation, decrease anxiety, reduce mean blood pressure, and postoperative pain.

The investigators aim to apply a pre-trained slow paced breathing technique at induction of anesthesia for surgery, to reduce perioperative anxiety and to explore effects on pre-operative blood pressure, per-operative need of hypnotics, postoperative pain and opioid use, PONV and patient satisfaction.

Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of guided slow paced breathing performed at induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer on anxiety, scored by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, State scale (STAI-S), compared to usual care.

Study design: Single center, two-group, prospective, randomized controlled trial Study population: patients scheduled for surgery for breast cancer in the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital.

Intervention: Performance of pre-trained guided slow paced breathing by the patient at induction of anesthesia for breast surgery.

Main study parameters: Anxiety scored by Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: There are no risks related to the intervention. Participants randomized in the intervention group are trained in slow paced breathing after inclusion and asked to practice the technique daily until the day of surgery. All participants are asked to complete three questionnaires at baseline, and two short questionnaires on the day of surgery and at day 1.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
150
Inclusion Criteria
  • Female
  • Undergoing surgery for breast cancer in the Antoni van Leeuwenhoekziekenhuis
Exclusion Criteria
  • Age < 18 years
  • ASA ≥ 4
  • History of severe pulmonary illness: severe asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) GOLD III or IV
  • Known or suspected severe psychiatric disorder
  • Unable to give written or oral informed consent
  • Patient refusal
  • Not able to understand Dutch
  • No internet access
  • Visual or hearing impairments interfering with reading and listening to the online material

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Slow PACE armpre-trained guided slow paced breathing (~6 breaths per minute)The intervention consists of performance of pre-trained guided Slow PACE breathing by the patient at induction of anesthesia for breast cancer surgery.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Peri operative anxiety2 weeks

The present study aims to examine the effects of pre-trained guided Slow PACE breathing performed at induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer on anxiety, scored by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, state scale (STAI-S), compared to usual care.

The total score ranging from 20 to 80. Higher scores indicate higher levels of anxiety symptoms. A cut-off score of 40 is commonly used to define probable clinical levels of anxiety.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
patient satisfaction5 minutes on postoperative day 1

scale of 0 (extremely unsatisfied) to 10 (extremely satisfied)

Anxiety trait scored by Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T)13 at baselineonce at baseline, duration 10 minutes

4-point scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much so), with the total score ranging from 20 to 80. Higher scores indicate higher levels of anxiety symptoms. A cut-off score of 40 is commonly used to define probable clinical levels of anxiety. The STAI-T will give an estimation of patients at high risk for anxiety.

need of hypnotics during induction10 minutes

total dose of hypnotics (propofol in milligrams)

post-operative painpost-operative on recovery (1-2hours)

visual analoge score (VAS) for pain, 0-10 points. A VAS score \> 4 indicates the need of more pain medication

postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)post-operative on recovery (1-2hours)

Y/N

mean blood pressure before induction10 minutes

MAP (mmHg)

post-operative need of opioidspost-operative on recovery (1-2hours)

Mean cumulative intravenous opioid dose administered during admission in the recovery room - converted to morphine equivalent dose (MEQ)

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A)once at baseline, duration 10 minutes

A questionnaire for detecting states of anxiety and depression in a hospital setting. The HADS-A is the anxiety subscale that consists of seven items. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (ranging from 0 = no not at all, to 3 = yes definitely), for a total score ranging from 0 to 21. A subscale score above 8 denotes anxiety.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital

🇳🇱

Amsterdam, Netherlands

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