Biomedical subjects

Shu-Ming Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Shu-Ming Wang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Family-centered preparation for surgery improves perioperative outcomes in children: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Children and parents experience significant anxiety and distress during the preoperative period. Currently available interventions are having limited efficacy. Based on an integration of the literature in both the anesthesia and psychological milieus, the authors developed a behaviorally oriented perioperative preparation program for children undergoing surgery that targets the family as a whole. METHODS: Children and their parents (n = 408) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) control: received standard of care; (2) parental presence: received standard parental presence during induction of anesthesia; (3) ADVANCE: received family-centered behavioral preparation; and (4) oral midazolam. The authors assessed the effect of group assignment on preoperative anxiety levels and postoperative outcomes such as analgesic consumption and emergence delirium. RESULTS: Parents and children in the ADVANCE group exhibited significantly lower anxiety in the holding area as compared with all three other groups (34.4+/-16 vs. 39.7+/-15; P=0.007) and were less anxious during induction of anesthesia as compared with the control and parental presence groups (44.9+/-22 vs. 51.6+/-25 and 53.6+/-25, respectively; P=0.006). Anxiety and compliance during induction of anesthesia was similar for children in both the ADVANCE and midazolam groups (44.9+/-22 vs. 42.9+/-24; P=0.904). Children in the ADVANCE group exhibited a lower incidence of emergence delirium after surgery (P=0.038), required significantly less analgesia in the recovery room (P=0.016), and were discharged from the recovery room earlier (P=0.04) as compared with children in the three other groups. CONCLUSION: The family-centered preoperative ADVANCE preparation program is effective in the reduction of preoperative anxiety and improvement in postoperative outcomes.

Analgesics↗

PubMed2006

Predicting which children benefit most from parental presence during induction of anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this large-scale prospective cohort study (n = 426) was to identify child and parent characteristics that are associated with low anxiety and good compliance during induction of anesthesia when parents are present. METHODS: Outcome variables included child's anxiety and child's compliance during induction of anesthesia. Predictor variables included demographics, temperament, trait (baseline) anxiety, coping style, and locus of control. RESULTS: Results of a linear regression model (overall proportion of variance accounted for equals 39.5%) showed that significant predictors of anxiety during induction of anesthesia while parents are present included: the child's age (DeltaR(2) = 0.315, P = 0.0001), behavior during previous medical visits (DeltaR(2) = 0.025, P = 0.001), child's activity level (DeltaR(2) = 0.016, P = 0.007), parent's state (contextual) anxiety (DeltaR(2) = 0.022, P = 0.001) and parent's locus of control (DeltaR(2) = 0.009, P = 0.036). A linear regression model that was constructed with compliance of the child as the outcome revealed similar findings. CONCLUSIONS: Children who benefit from parental presence are older, had lower levels of activity in their temperament, and had parents who were calmer and who valued preparation and coping skills for medical situations. The practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2006

Residual gastric fluid volume and chewing gum before surgery.

In this study we sought to determine if chewing gum preoperatively increases gastric fluid volume (GFV) and changes gastric acidity. Children, 5-17 yr old, were randomized to one of three groups: a control group that was not given any gum, a group that was given sugarless bubble gum, and a group that was given sugared bubble gum. Patients in the two gum groups were instructed to chew their gum for a period of 30 min. After induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation, the stomach was suctioned with a salem sump orogastric tube. We found that children who did not chew gum had significantly smaller GFV as compared with children who chewed sugared and sugarless gum (0.35 [0.2-0.5] mL/kg versus 0.88 [0.6-1.4] mL/kg versus 0.69 [0.4-1.6] mL/kg; P = 0.0001). Children who did not chew gum also had a significantly lower gastric fluid pH as compared with children chewing sugared and sugarless gum (geometric mean, 1.91 versus 2.25 versus 2.19; P = 0.007). We conclude that children who present for surgery while chewing gum have significantly larger GFV and higher pH.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Hypnosis reduces preoperative anxiety in adult patients.

In this study we examined the effect of hypnosis on preoperative anxiety. Subjects were randomized into 3 groups, a hypnosis group (n = 26) who received suggestions of well-being; an attention-control group (n = 26) who received attentive listening and support without any specific hypnotic suggestions and a "standard of care" control group (n = 24). Anxiety was measured pre- and postintervention as well as on entrance to the operating rooms. We found that patients in the hypnosis group were significantly less anxious postintervention as compared with patients in the attention-control group and the control group (31 +/- 8 versus 37 +/- 9 versus 41 +/- 11, analysis of variance, P = 0.008). Moreover, on entrance to the operating rooms, the hypnosis group reported a significant decrease of 56% in their anxiety level whereas the attention-control group reported an increase of 10% in anxiety and the control group reported an increase of 47% in their anxiety (P = 0.001). In conclusion, we found that hypnosis significantly alleviates preoperative anxiety. Future studies are indicated to examine the effects of preoperative hypnosis on postoperative outcomes.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Out-of-hospital auricular acupressure in elder patients with hip fracture: a randomized double-blinded trial.

OBJECTIVES: Auricular acupressure is known to decrease the level of anxiety in patients during ambulance transport. The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, sham control study was to determine whether auricular acupressure can decrease not only the level of anxiety but also the level of pain in a group of elder patients with acute hip fracture. METHODS: With the assistance of the Vienna Red Cross, 38 patients with acute hip fracture were enrolled into this study. Patients were randomized into two study groups: the true intervention group and the sham control group. Subjects in the true intervention group (n = 18) received bilateral auricular acupressure at three auricular acupressure points for hip pain. Patients in the sham group (n = 20) received bilateral auricular acupressure at sham points. Baseline demographic information, anxiety level, pain level, blood pressure, and heart rate were obtained before the administration of the appropriate acupressure intervention. The level of anxiety, level of pain, hemodynamic profiles, and level of satisfaction were reassessed once the patients arrived at the hospital. RESULTS: Patients in the true intervention groups had less pain (F = 28, p = 0.0001) and anxiety (F = 4.3, p = 0.018) and lower heart rate (F = 18, p = 0.0001) on arrival at the hospital than did patients in the sham control group. As a result, the patients in the true intervention group reported higher satisfaction in the care they received during the ride to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The authors encourage physicians, health care providers, and emergency rescuers to learn this easy, noninvasive, and inexpensive technique for its effects in decreasing anxiety and pain during emergency transportation.

Acupressure↗

PubMed2005

Complementary and alternative medicine for low-back pain in pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: To identify common treatments used for low-back pain (LBP) during pregnancy. DESIGN: A two-part anonymous survey. SETTING/LOCATION: New Haven, Connecticut. SUBJECTS: Pregnant women and providers of prenatal health care (nurse educators, nurse midwives, and obstetricians). RESULTS: We found that the majority of pregnant women who participated in our survey (61.7%) reported that they would accept complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy as treatment for LBP during pregnancy. Similarly, 61% of providers of prenatal health care in our sample reported that they would consider using CAM as treatment for LBP during pregnancy. Massage (61.4%), acupuncture (44.6%), relaxation (42.6%), yoga (40.6%), and chiropractic (36.6%) were the most common CAM therapies recommended for LBP in pregnancy by the providers of prenatal health care in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: This two-part survey study found that both providers of prenatal health care and pregnant women in New Haven county are likely to use CAM treatments for pregnancy-induced LBP. Further investigation should focus on whether it is a nationwide phenomenon, as well as if various CAM therapies are an efficacious treatment for LBP during pregnancy.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed2005

Sevoflurane versus halothane: postoperative maladaptive behavioral changes: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial to determine whether the use of sevoflurane in children undergoing anesthesia and surgery results in a higher incidence of postoperative maladaptive behavioral changes as compared with halothane. METHODS: Children and their parents (n = 102) were randomly assigned to either a halothane group (n = 50) or a sevoflurane group (n = 52). The intraoperative anesthetic protocol was strictly controlled, and the postoperative analgesic consumption and pain levels were recorded. The effect of the group assignment on emergence status and maladaptive postoperative behavioral changes was assessed both by validated psychological measures and physiologic instruments (actigraphy) on postoperative days 1-7. Anxiety of the parent and child was also assessed, as was the child's postoperative recovery (Recovery Inventory). RESULTS: There were no group differences in preoperative state anxiety, postoperative analgesic requirements, postoperative pain, or the incidence of emergence delirium (P = not significant). Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance showed no group differences in the incidence of postoperative maladaptive behaviors (F4,72 = 0.60, P = 0.701) or actigraphic variables such as percent sleep, number of night awakenings, and night awakenings that lasted for more than 5 min (P = not significant). CONCLUSION: The authors found no increased incidence of emergence delirium, maladaptive postoperative behavior changes, or sleep disturbances in children undergoing anesthesia with sevoflurane as compared with halothane.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed2005

Acupressure and preoperative parental anxiety: a pilot study.

In this randomized sham-controlled study we examined the anxiolytic and sedative effects of acupressure on parents in the preoperative holding area before their children's surgery. Sixty-one parents received acupressure either at the Yintang point (midpoint between the two eyebrows) or at a sham point. Anxiety (as measured by the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory), arterial blood pressure, and heart rate were assessed before and after the intervention and a Bispectral Index monitor was used to continuously monitor hypnotic sedation levels. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that parents in the acupressure group reported significantly less anxiety at 20 min post-intervention as compared with parents in the sham group (37 +/- 10 versus 45 +/- 13, P = 0.03). Bispectral Index values, heart rate, and arterial blood pressure, however, did not differ between the two study groups (P = not significant). We conclude that acupressure at the Yintang point may be used as a treatment for parental preoperative anxiety. Future studies are needed to quantify the magnitude and duration of the anxiolytic effect.

Acupressure↗

PubMed2004

Parental auricular acupuncture as an adjunct for parental presence during induction of anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether parental auricular acupuncture reduces parental preoperative anxiety and thus allows children to benefit from parental presence during induction of anesthesia. METHODS: Mothers of children who were scheduled to undergo surgery were randomly assigned to an acupuncture intervention group (auricular press needles at relaxation, tranquilizer point, and master cerebral point) or a sham acupuncture control group (auricular press needles at the shoulder, wrist, and extraneous auricular point). The intervention was performed at least 30 min before the child's induction of anesthesia. All mothers were present during induction of anesthesia. The behavioral and physiologic anxiety of mothers and children were rated during the perioperative process. RESULTS: : Multivariable analysis examining maternal anxiety as a function of group found a group-by-time interaction (F1,65 = 4.1, P = 0.04). That is, after induction, maternal anxiety in the acupuncture group was significantly lower (42.9 +/- 10 vs. 49.5 +/- 11; P = 0.014). A multivariate model (F1,65 = 4.8, P =0.031) also showed that children whose mothers received the acupuncture intervention were significantly less anxious on entrance to the operating room (34.9 +/- 20 vs. 47.4 +/- 26; P = 0.03) and during introduction of the anesthesia mask (38.6 +/- 25 vs. 55.6 +/- 31; P = 0.016). There were no significant differences in maternal blood pressure and heart rate between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: : Auricular acupuncture significantly decreased maternal anxiety during the preoperative period. Children of mothers who underwent acupuncture intervention benefitted from the reduction of maternal anxiety during the induction of anesthesia.

Acupuncture, Ear↗

PubMed2004

Low back pain during pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the severity of the low back pain (LBP) during pregnancy, including prevalence, risk factors, impact on daily living, and health provider management. METHODS: An anonymous survey consisting of 36 questions was distributed to pregnant women participating in various prenatal care clinics and educational classes in New Haven County, Connecticut. A total of 950 surveys was returned from May 2002 through October 2003. At each site, a researcher was available each week to answer questions and gather surveys. RESULTS: Six hundred forty-five (68.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 65-72%) respondents reported experiencing LBP during their current pregnancy. The prevalence was not affected by gestational age (P =.56). Low back pain during the current pregnancy was predicted by age (younger women were more likely to develop it; P =.004), history of LBP without pregnancy (P =.002), during menstruation (P =.01), and during a previous pregnancy (P =.002). The majority of respondents reported that LBP during pregnancy caused sleep disturbances (58%; 95% CI 54-62%) and impaired daily living (57%; 95% CI 53-62%). Average pain was moderate in severity. Nearly 30% of respondents stopped performing at least one daily activity because of pain and reported that pain also impaired the performance of other routine tasks. Only 32% (95% CI 28-36%) of the respondents with LBP during pregnancy informed their prenatal care providers of this problem, and only 25% (95% CI 21-28%) of prenatal care providers recommended a treatment. CONCLUSION: Low back pain during pregnancy is a common problem that causes hardship in this population. Further studies are indicated in the areas of prevention and treatment.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Trends in the practice of parental presence during induction of anesthesia and the use of preoperative sedative premedication in the United States, 1995-2002: results of a follow-up national survey.

UNLABELLED: Both parental presence during induction of anesthesia and sedative premedication are currently used to treat preoperative anxiety in children. A survey study conducted in 1995 demonstrated that most children are taken into the operating room without the benefit of either of these two interventions. In 2002 we conducted a follow-up survey study. Five thousand questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected physician members of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Mailings were followed by a nonresponse bias assessment. Twenty-seven percent (n = 1362) returned the questionnaire after 3 mailings. We found that a significantly larger proportion of young children undergoing surgery in the United States were reported to receive sedative premedication in 2002 as compared with 1995 (50% vs 30%, P = 0.001). We also found that in 2002 there was significantly less geographical variability in the use of sedative premedication as compared with the 1995 survey (F = 8.31, P = 0.006). Similarly, we found that in 2002 parents of children undergoing surgery in the United States were allowed to be present more often during induction of anesthesia as compared with 1995 (chi(2) = 26.3, P = 0.0001). Finally, similar to our findings in the 1995 survey, midazolam was uniformly selected most often to premedicate patients before surgery. IMPLICATIONS: Over the past 7 yr there have been significant increases in the number of anesthesiologists who use preoperative sedative premedication and parental presence for children undergoing surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Interactive music therapy as a treatment for preoperative anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial.

UNLABELLED: In this study, we examined whether interactive music therapy is an effective treatment for preinduction anxiety. Children undergoing outpatient surgery were randomized to 3 groups: interactive music therapy (n = 51), oral midazolam (n = 34), or control (n = 38). The primary outcome of the study was children's perioperative anxiety. We found that children who received midazolam were significantly less anxious during the induction of anesthesia than children in the music therapy and control groups (P = 0.015 and P = 0.005, respectively). We found no difference in anxiety during the induction of anesthesia between children in the music therapy group and children in the control group. An analysis controlling for therapist revealed a significant therapist effect; i.e., children treated by one of the therapists were significantly less anxious than children in the other therapist group and the control group on separation to the operating room (OR) (P < 0.05) and on entrance to the OR (P < 0.05), but not on the introduction of the anesthesia mask (P = not significant). Children in the midazolam group were the least anxious even after controlling for therapist effect (P < 0.05). We conclude that music therapy may be helpful on separation and entrance to the OR, depending on the therapist. However, music therapy does not appear to relieve anxiety during the induction of anesthesia. IMPLICATIONS: Depending on the music therapist, interactive music therapy may relieve anxiety on separation and entrance to the operating room but appears less effective during the induction of anesthesia.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed2003

Parental presence during induction of anesthesia: physiological effects on parents.

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether parental presence during induction of anesthesia (PPIA) is associated with parental physiologic and behavioral manifestations of stress. METHODS: Children and their parents (N = 80) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) PPIA; (2) PPIA plus 0.5 mg/kg oral midazolam; and (3) control (no PPIA or midazolam). The effect of the group assignment on parental heart rate (HR), parental blood pressure, and parental skin conductance level (SCL) were assessed. Both parental HR and parental SCL were monitored continually. Anxiety of the parent and child was also assessed. RESULTS: Parental HR increased from baseline until the induction of anesthesia (P = 0.001). A group-by-time effect ( P= 0.005) was also found. That is, throughout the induction period there were several time points at which parents in the two PPIA groups had a significantly higher HR than did parents in the control group (P < 0.05). Similarly, SCL was found to increase in all parents from baseline until induction of anesthesia (P = 0.001). Significant group differences in SCL changes over time were found as well (P = 0.009). State anxiety and blood pressure following induction of anesthesia did not differ significantly between groups ( P= nonsignificant). Examination of parental Holter data revealed no rhythm abnormalities and no electrocardiogram changes indicating ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found that PPIA is associated with increased parental HR and SCL. However, no increased incidence of electrocardiogram abnormalities were found in parents present during induction of anesthesia.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

Auricular acupressure as a treatment for anxiety in prehospital transport settings.

BACKGROUND: Auricular acupuncture at the relaxation point has been previously shown to be an effective treatment for anxiety in the preoperative setting. The purpose of this prospective, randomized, blinded study was to determine whether auricular acupressure can reduce stress and anxiety during ambulance transport. METHODS: Patients who required ambulance transport secondary to medical conditions were randomized to receive auricular acupressure at the relaxation point (n = 17) or at a sham point (n = 19). A visual analog scale was used to assess state anxiety as well as patient anticipation of hospital medical treatment (estimated waiting period for treatment, anticipated pain during treatment, attitude toward the physicians, and treatment outcomes). These variables were assessed at baseline and on arrival to the hospital. RESULTS: Patients in the relaxation group reported significantly less anxiety than patients in the sham group on arrival to the hospital (visual analog scale mean +/- SD: 37.6 +/- 20.6 to 12.4 +/- 7.8 mm vs. 42.5 +/- 29.9 to 46.7 +/- 25.9 mm, respectively; P = 0.002). Similarly, patient perception of pain during treatment (mean visual analog scale +/- SD: 32.7 +/- 27.7 to 14.5 +/- 8.1 mm vs. 17.2 +/- 26.1 to 28.8 +/- 21.9 mm, respectively; P = 0.006) and treatment outcomes of their illnesses (mean visual analog scale +/- SD: 46.7 +/- 29.4 to 19.1 +/- 10.4 mm vs. 35.0 +/- 25.7 to 31.5 +/- 20.5 mm, respectively; P = 0.014) were significantly more positive in the relaxation group than in the sham group. No differences were found in the other variables assessed. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that auricular acupressure is an effective treatment for anxiety in prehospital emergency settings.

Acupressure↗

PubMed2003

Backaches related to pregnancy: the risk factors, etiologies, treatments and controversial issues.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is no clear documentation in either the anesthetic/pain or obstetric literatures regarding the management of backache related to pregnancy. Backache can occur during pregnancy, in labor, and postpartum; different stages should be managed differently. The purpose of this review is to discuss the different types of backache, to provide an overview of diagnosis and treatment options, and to address several controversial issues related to pregnancy-related backaches. RECENT FINDINGS: Gestational backache is a substantial problem and can have a significant impact on a pregnant woman's daily activities. Non-pharmacological/complementary treatments such as posture adjustment, acupuncture, physical therapy, physiotherapy, yoga, and chiropractic may become the first line of treatment options. In labor backache the posture of the parturient can have an effect in decreasing the intensity of pain. Allopathic medicine, regional techniques (epidural), and complementary interventions are routinely given to parturients. However, there is a major perception of differences among midwives, obstetricians and anesthesiologists in terms of the risks and benefits of labor epidural analgesia. Postpartum backache is usually self-limited, but for some mothers the pain can last from a few months to several years. Early literature suggested that this problem was associated with the use of epidurals, but recent data in the literature deny such an association. SUMMARY: Overall, backache related to pregnancy is a significant problem. Education is still the first line of intervention for preventing backaches related to pregnancy. Both allopathic and complementary medicines are frequently used as treatments for backache related to pregnancy.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Parental intervention choices for children undergoing repeated surgeries.

UNLABELLED: No studies have examined parental preference for a preoperative intervention in healthy children undergoing subsequent surgeries. We collected data prospectively from 83 children who previously underwent surgery and were part of an investigation by our study group, then returned for a subsequent surgery. At the initial surgery, children were assigned (no parental intervention) to receive oral midazolam (n = 13), or parental presence during the induction of anesthesia (PPIA, n = 27), or PPIA + midazolam (n = 10) or no intervention (n = 33). At a subsequent surgery, parents chose the preoperative intervention. We found that >80% of all parents chose PPIA (with or without midazolam) at the subsequent surgery regardless of the intervention they received previously. Of parents whose children received PPIA at the initial surgery, 70% chose PPIA again. In contrast, only 23% of the patients who received midazolam at the initial surgery requested midazolam at the subsequent surgery and only 15% of the patients who received no intervention at the initial surgery requested no intervention at the subsequent surgery. All parents of very anxious children at the initial surgery chose some intervention at the subsequent surgery (P = 0.022). Parents of children who underwent a subsequent surgery preferred PPIA regardless of any previous intervention. Also, parents' intervention preferences at the subsequent surgery were influenced by children's anxiety at the initial surgery. IMPLICATIONS: Parents of children who undergo a subsequent surgery prefer to be present during the induction of anesthesia regardless of whether the child was medicated or had parents present or did not receive anything at the initial surgery. Also, parents' preference for medication or parental presence at the subsequent surgery was influenced by the child's anxiety at the initial surgery.

Anesthesia↗

PubMed2003

The use of complementary and alternative medicines by surgical patients: a follow-up survey study.

UNLABELLED: In a previous study, we indicated that 42% of surgical outpatients are interested in using acupuncture as a treatment modality for preoperative anxiety. We designed this follow-up survey to assess differences in attitude toward complementary-alternative medical therapies (CAM) between patients undergoing outpatient surgeries and those undergoing inpatient surgeries. The results indicate that most surgical patients (57.4%) use some form of CAM, including self-prayer (praying for their own health; 29%), chiropractic treatment (23%), massage therapy (15%), relaxation (14%), herbs (13%), megavitamins (9%), and acupuncture (7%). Inpatient surgical respondents reported using self-prayer more than outpatient surgical respondents, but no other differences in CAM use were found between inpatient and outpatient respondents. More inpatient respondents reported disclosing their usage of CAM to perioperative physicians than did outpatient respondents. Most surgical patients were willing to accept CAM as part of their perioperative management but were not willing to pay out-of-pocket for CAM treatment. The leading CAM therapies that fewer of the respondents were willing to pay for out-of-pocket included relaxation, massage, chiropractic medicine, herbs, and acupuncture. IMPLICATIONS: Most surgical patients use some form of complementary-alternative medical therapies (CAM) and are willing to accept CAM therapy as part of their perioperative management.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Psychological preparation of the parent and pediatric surgical patient.

Some 3 million children undergo anesthesia and surgery in the United States every year; 40% to 60% of these children develop significant behavioral stress prior to surgery. Multiple interventions have been suggested to treat the preoperative behavioral stress responses in children. There is a trend toward reducing both behavioral and pharmacological preoperative interventions aimed at children, perhaps because though there is a consensus that preoperative interventions can be useful, almost no outcome studies have evaluated the effects of these interventions on measurable, clinically "important" postoperative outcomes. More research is needed in this area.

Anesthesia↗