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The effect of emotional stressors on postoperative skin conductance indices: a prospective cohort pilot study Institution: Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

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.

KEYWORDS
Emotional stressors; Intellectual task; Postoperative pain; Skin conductance

Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia R. Professor Alfredo Gomes, 36, 22251-080 Botafogo RJ Brasil, Tel: +55 21 2537-8100, Fax: +55 21 2537-8188 - Campinas - SP - Brazil
E-mail: bjan@sbahq.org