@article {Kimberger:February 2007:0003-2409:140,
author = "Kimberger, O.",
author = "Illievich, U.",
author = "Lenhardt, R.",
title = "The effect of skin surface warming on pre-operative anxiety in neurosurgery patients",
journal = "Anaesthesia",
volume = "62",
year = "February 2007",
abstract = "Summary Skin surface warming of patients not only improves thermal comfort, but has been shown to reduce anxiety in a pre-hospital setting. We tested the hypothesis that pre-operative warming can reduce pre-operative anxiety as effectively as a conventional dose of intravenous midazolam in patients undergoing neurosurgery. We randomly allocated 80 patients to four groups in the pre-operative holding area. Treatment was applied for 30-45 min with (1) passive insulation and placebo; (2) passive insulation and intravenous midazolam (30 μg.kg−1); (3) warming with forced-air and placebo; and (4) warming with forced-air and intravenous midazolam (30 μg.kg−1). Thermal comfort levels (VAS 0-100 mm) and anxiety levels (VAS 0-100 mm, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) were assessed twice: before the designated treatment was started and before induction of anaesthesia. In the midazolam and the midazolam/warming groups, anxiety VAS and Spielberger state anxiety scores decreased by − 19 (95% CI: − 29 to − 9, p < 0.01) and − 10 (95% CI: − 14 to − 6, p < 0.01), respectively. In the warming and the combined groups, thermal VAS increased by + 26 (95% CI: 17-34, p < 0.01). Pre-operative warming did not reduce anxiety VAS (p = 0.11) or Spielberger state anxiety (p = 0.19). The results of our study indicate that pre-operative warming can be recommended solely to improve thermal comfort, not to replace anxiolytic premedication regimens.",
pages = "140-145(6)",
url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/anae/2007/00000062/00000002/art00008"
doi = "doi:10.1111/j.1365-2044.2007.04934.x"
}