Effect of calming conversation on anxiety levels in Cesarean section

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of anxiety of patients undergoing elective Caesarean section under spinal anesthesia to ascertain the factors related to anxiety and the effect of calming conversation on the anxiety level. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 156 patients as Group 1 (96) and Group 2 (60). The patients in Group 1 were distracted with calming conversationting during the surgery and in Group 2, the patient’s questions were answered but the surgical team did not calming conversation. All patients completed the the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: The preoperative STAI scores were similar in both groups. Although midazolam administration was higher in Group 2, the postoperative STAI scores were significantly lower in Group 1. In both groups, the anxiety scores decreased significantly in the postoperative period. Smoking was found to be related with higher STAI scores. Nausea was related with higher preoperative and postoperative STAI scores. Patients who were employed related lower STAI scores. Conclusion: Calming conversationting with patients, which is easy, has no cost and does not harm the infant or mother, decreased the STAI scores better than midazolam.