Mind-Body Interventions Impact Patient Anxiety Levels After Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): A Pilot Study.

Background: Orthopedic surgery can trigger anxiety that negatively impacts patient experience and recovery.

Purpose: This pilot study investigated if a compassionate interaction combined with standardized mind-body techniques could reduce patient anxiety levels during the initial postoperative phase for patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Participants were 36 postsurgical hospital inpatients guided through a 10-minute mind-body breathing and visualization intervention on post-op day zero (POD 0) and on post-op day one (POD 1).