Patients undergoing painful procedures do better if they are encouraged to relax and visualize a safe place. This finding will not come as a surprise to many readers, but it was demonstrated in a study of patients undergoing ablation for atrial fibrillation. Clinical nurse specialists who conducted the study had 76 patients using visualization and 71 patients under conventional care only during the procedure. Those who were offered help in imagining alternative scenarios rated their pain and anxiety levels as significantly lower. This may allow people to undergo this procedure without general anesthesia. The findings were presented at a conference.
[EuroHeartCare, April 5, 2014]
