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Visualization and Structured Attention Behaviour for Pain and Anxiety Reduction During Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Visualization and Structured Attention Behaviour -- Does it Reduce the Patient's Experience of Pain Intensity and Anxiety During Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation?

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01162811
Enrollment
140
Registered
2010-07-15
Start date
2009-11-30
Completion date
2011-07-31
Last updated
2011-07-21

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Atrial Fibrillation

Keywords

Visualization, relaxation, self hypnotic relaxation, hypnosis, invasive medical procedures, atrial fibrillation, ablation, catheter ablation, pain, anxiety

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of visualization and relaxation exercises together with a structured behavioural attention from nurses during ablation of atrial fibrillation. The study will test the following hypothesis which is also aim for intervention: Relaxation and visualization performed in patients during ablation of atrial fibrillation combined with structured attention behaviour from the nurse reduces the patient's experience of pain and anxiety - and secondary reduces the consumption of painkillers and the number of episodes of adverse outcome that requires extra attention from staff. The survey is conducted as a controlled trial with a control group and an intervention group.

Detailed description

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia with a prevalence of 5% among people older than 65 years, and 0.4% of the total population. Ablation is a relatively new treatment that has proven to be effective in removing physical symptoms in patients with severe symptoms. Compared to other ablation treatments, ablation of AF is complex and of longer duration. It can be accompanied by significant discomfort and pain, despite pharmacological analgesia. Non pharmacological analgesia in the form of relaxation exercises and visualization has successfully been used to reduce the experience of pain intensity and anxiety of other invasive procedures. Aim: The study will test the following hypothesis which also acts as aim for intervention: Relaxation and visualization performed in patients during ablation of atrial fibrillation combined with structured attention behaviour from the nurse reduces the patient's experience of pain and anxiety - and secondary reduces the consumption of painkillers and the number of episodes of adverse outcome that requires extra attention from staff. Design / Methodology: The Trial is conducted in a cardiac lab. The survey is conducted as a controlled Trial. The control group receives conventional care and treatment and the intervention group receives visualization and relaxation exercises together with structured behavioural attention. The patient scores experienced pain intensity and anxiety in a validated linear numerical rank scale. A Statistical calculation of power estimated the required number of patients to 70 in each group.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALvisualization together with structured behavioural attention.

visualization and relaxation exercises together with structured behavioural attention.

Sponsors

Rigshospitalet, Denmark
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients referred for ablation of atrial fibrillation

Exclusion criteria

* Unable to give informed consent * Impaired mental function, psychosis, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, intolerance towards midazolam or fentanyl * Undergoing the ablation in general anaesthesia * Unable to speak or understand danish

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Pain and anxiety is determined from self-reporting by the patient on a validated NRS scale.Day 1 :Patient self-reporting every 15 minutes from the onset of the ablation procedure to the end of the ablation procedure. In addition self-reporting is recorded if the patient complains in between these fixed measurement points. No follow-up.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Amount of Medication used /kg (Fentanyl and Midazolam) during the ablation procedure)Day 1: From the onset to the end of the ablation procedure. No follow-up.
Number of adverse events during the ablation procedureDay 1: Are recorded whenever they occur from the onset, to the end of the ablation procedure. No follow-up.Defined as occurrences requiring extra medical attention to restore hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory stability during the procedure, including systolic blood pressure fluctuation, vasovagal episodes, cardiac events and respiratory impairment

Countries

Denmark

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026