A systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative education in reducing postoperative pain and disability in patients who underwent orthopedic surgery. A total of 37 randomized controlled trials were included, with 27 of them being analyzed in a meta-analysis. The findings indicated a small but statistically significant reduction in postoperative pain for those receiving preoperative education or combined interventions compared to usual care. However, these interventions showed only short-term benefits and did not enhance long-term functional recovery.
The review highlighted the urgent need for improved strategies in managing postoperative pain, especially given the mixed results of previous studies on the effectiveness of preoperative education. While preoperative education demonstrated a small effect on pain relief shortly after surgery, the optimal content, duration, and delivery of such education require further investigation. The study underscores the importance of addressing postoperative pain management to improve patient outcomes in orthopedic procedures.
Reference: Wang F, Zhang J, Guan Y, Xie J. The effect of preoperative education on postoperative pain and function after orthopedic surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patient Educ Couns. 2024 Nov;128:108406. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108406. Epub 2024 Aug 16. PMID: 39168049.
