Psychological prehabilitation enhances surgical recovery effectiveness

A new study shows that psychological prehabilitation can greatly improve recovery after surgery. Conducted by surgeons at UCLA Health, the research found that this method helps reduce hospital stays, pain, anxiety, and depression following surgical procedures. The study, led by Anne E. Hall and Dr. Justine Lee, analyzed data from 20 controlled trials that involved 2,376 patients from 2004 to 2024. The results are published in the Annals of Surgery. Psychological prehabilitation is a proactive approach that aims to enhance surgical outcomes. While traditional prehabilitation has focused on physical health, recent research emphasizes the importance of mental health in recovery. This includes reducing the need for opioid painkillers after surgery. The researchers systematically reviewed various studies to see how different psychological therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), affect recovery. Their findings revealed significant benefits, including a shorter average hospital stay by 1.62 days and a notable decrease in pain and anxiety levels. The type of surgery or psychotherapy did not greatly influence outcomes apart from anxiety. These findings suggest that adding psychological support before surgery could lead to quicker and better patient recovery while also lowering healthcare costs related to longer hospital stays. The study calls for more research to explore different types and methods of psychological therapies to find the best strategies for improving recovery outcomes for patients.