Clinical trial supports adding mental health care to routine preparation for major surgery

Getting mind ready for surgery is as important as physical preparation

Preparing for major surgery should not skip mental preparation for a successful recovery, a new study says.

Clinical trial supports adding mental health care to routine preparation for major surgery

Facing major surgery is stressful, but for older adults, unaddressed anxiety and depression can impede physical recovery. A clinical trial led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that starting an intervention before surgery—one that combines mental health coaching with optimization of medications that may increase risks for older adults—reduces postsurgery anxiety and depression.

Pre-Surgery Mental Health Support Improved Recovery

Providing mental health coaching and optimizing high-risk medications before surgery reduces post-operative anxiety and depression in older surgical patients.

Why Mental Support Before & After Surgery Works

A clinical trial led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that starting an intervention before surgery — one that combines mental health coaching with optimization of medications that may increase risks for older adults — reduces post-surgery anxiety and depression.