The effects of prayer, relaxation technique during general anesthesia on recovery outcomes following cardiac surgery

During general anesthesia the possibility of subconscious perception of intraoperative events is a controversial subject. Some studies found that positive verbal suggestions, or music improved intraoperative relaxation and postoperative recovery. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of prayer and relaxation technique applied while patients are under general anesthesia for open-heart surgery. A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial study included 78 patients who underwent cardiac surgery. During the surgery the patients used a headphone connected to a CD player. They were randomly divided into three groups. One group listened to prayer during the surgery, the other listened to relaxation technique and one, placebo. There was only one significant finding: the prayer group is less likely to believe that prayer would assist conventional medical treatments. Although not statistically significant, we discussed the length of stay (LOS) after surgery and the incidence of sternal wound infection.