ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Skin conductance response reflects the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and is used to measure acute pain. This pilot study examines correlations of skin conductance response with emotional stressors postoperatively. METHODS: The correlation of skin conductance response with pain, anxiety, nausea and intellectual task performance was analyzed in postoperative patients. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between anxiety and pain during physical activity on both postoperative day 1 and 2. No significant correlations were found between skin conductance response versus mild pain, nausea, anxiety or intellectual task performance. CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that when the pain is well-controlled in the early postoperative period, skin conductance response monitoring may not be influenced by other emotional stressors.
Subject(s)
Galvanic Skin Response/physiology , Pain Measurement/methods , Pain, Postoperative/diagnosis , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Aged , Anxiety/psychology , Cohort Studies , Emotions , Exercise , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pain, Postoperative/psychology , Pilot Projects , Postoperative Period , Prospective Studies , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Abstract Background: Skin conductance response reflects the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and is used to measure acute pain. This pilot study examines correlations of skin conductance response with emotional stressors postoperatively. Methods: The correlation of skin conductance response with pain, anxiety, nausea and intellectual task performance was analyzed in postoperative patients. Results: Significant correlations were observed between anxiety and pain during physical activity on both postoperative day 1 and 2. No significant correlations were found between skin conductance response versus mild pain, nausea, anxiety or intellectual task performance. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that when the pain is well-controlled in the early postoperative period, skin conductance response monitoring may not be influenced by other emotional stressors.
Resumo Justificativa: A variação da condutância da pele reflete a atividade do sistema nervoso simpático e é usada para avaliar dor aguda. Este estudo piloto examinou as correlações entre a variação da condutância da pele e estressores emocionais no pós-operatório. Método: A correlação entre a variação da condutância da pele e dor, ansiedade, náusea e desempenho de tarefa intelectual foi analisada em pacientes no pós-operatório. Resultados: Correlações significantes foram observadas entre ansiedade e dor durante atividade física nos dias 1 e 2 pós-operatórios. Não foram encontradas correlações significantes entre a variação da condutância da pele e dor leve, náusea, ansiedade ou desempenho de tarefa intelectual. Conclusão: Este estudo piloto sugere que, quando a dor é bem controlada no pós-operatório inicial, o monitoramento empregando a variação da condutância da pele pode não ser influenciado por outros estressores emocionais.