Preoperative Optimization of Patient's Expectations by the Use of an Online-Tool - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Recovery after the surgery depends on psychological factors such as preoperative information, expectations, and surgery-associated anxiety. Prior studies have shown that even short preoperative psychological interventions can improve postoperative outcomes. However, the content of these interventions needs further examination. This study aims to examine if the developed preoperative intervention (i) reduces preoperative anxiety, (ii) increases positive expectations, and (iii) improves the long-term outcome and postoperative recovery. Therefore an online-tool has been developed. Using an online-approach makes it possible to reach many patients taking as little time and cost as possible.

Patients who undergo surgery in the next two weeks and want to participate in the study will be asked for the planned surgical procedure. There will be a filter (stratum) for surgery. Patients with the same kind of surgery are randomized into two groups (Control vs. intervention group) after they've filled some questionnaires at the baseline assessment. Following this, the intervention group will participate in the psychological online intervention (around 30 minutes). The intervention will focus on the treatment outcome expectations and personal control expectations to increase patients' positive expectations. The control group will receive no psychological intervention. Both groups will fill out questionnaires again in the evening, two days before the surgery, around one week after the surgery, and three months after the surgery.