EFFECT OF PREOPERATIVE PAIN NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION ON CHRONIC POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
EFFECT OF PREOPERATIVE PAIN NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION ON CHRONIC POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a single preoperative pain neuroscience education (PNE) session on postoperative pain-related outcomes in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Participants were randomly allocated to either a PNE group, which received a structured preoperative PNE session in addition to routine preoperative care, or a control group, which received routine preoperative information and care. Outcomes included pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, pain vigilance and awareness, and pressure pain threshold. Assessments were conducted preoperatively and at 24 hours, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery.
Inclusion Criteria:
Adults aged 18 years or older Scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) through median sternotomy Able to understand and communicate sufficiently to participate in the education and outcome assessments Provided informed consent to participate in the study -
Exclusion Criteria:
Emergency CABG surgery Concomitant cardiac surgical procedures other than CABG Inability to understand or participate in the pain neuroscience education session Cognitive or communication impairment preventing completion of study assessments Postoperative clinical conditions preventing participation in the planned assessments
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This study was designed as a prospective, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The study investigated whether preoperative pain neuroscience education could influence acute and persistent postoperative pain-related outcomes following CABG.
Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a structured pain neuroscience education session before surgery in addition to routine preoperative care. The educational session addressed the neurophysiology of pain, the role of the nervous system and brain in pain perception, factors that may influence pain experiences, common misconceptions about pain, and strategies for understanding and coping with postoperative pain. Participants in the control group received routine preoperative information and care without structured pain neuroscience education.
Assessments were performed at baseline before surgery and at 24 hours, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Pain-related cognitive and attentional factors were assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ). Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was assessed using a digital pressure algometer.
The study aimed to determine whether a brief preoperative educational intervention targeting pain-related knowledge and beliefs could improve postoperative pain and pain-related outcomes in patients undergoing CABG.