The Impact of Preoperative Suggestion on Dreaming

The Impact of Preoperative Suggestions on Dreaming With Intravenous Sedation: A Randomized Controlled, Blinded Trial.

Recent studies have shown that positive preoperative suggestions can significantly influence the quality of dreams and reduce the incidence of unpleasant dreams during sedation with agents like ketamine and propofol.

Cheong et al. demonstrated that a simple positive suggestion before ketamine administration could reduce unpleasant dreams, while Kim et al. found that propofol, compared to midazolam, led to more vivid and memorable dreams, along with similar satisfaction levels in patients. This study aims to extend these findings by comparing the effects of propofol and ketamine sedation on dreaming during anesthesia, with a focus on how preoperative suggestions might influence dream content, emotional tone, and patient satisfaction.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients aged 20-65 years.
• ASA physical status I-III.
• Scheduled for elective spinal anesthesia or brachial plexus block.
• Fluent in Korean.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of any medication, including premedication, within 12 hours before surgery.
• Cognitive impairments or psychiatric disorders (including a history of unpleasant dreams or nightmares).
• Current use of sedatives or hypnotics.
• History of severe or recurrent nightmares.