Mind over surgery: evaluating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in alleviating preoperative anxiety

A. Kalaiselvi Xavier; Mohsin Tahasildar; Siddeshwar Angadi; Deepthy Thomas; V. Revathy; P. Vanaja; M. Abi Rami; Mohammed Umar; Renji George John; Amit Kumar Meena; Indhumathi Devabaktula

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20260256

Authors

A. Kalaiselvi Xavier Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Chettinad College of Nursing, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Mohsin Tahasildar Department of Mental Health Nursing, Al Kareem College of Nursing, Gulbarga, Karnataka, India
Siddeshwar Angadi Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Teerthanker Parshvnath College of Nursing, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Deepthy Thomas Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Nanjappa Institute of Nursing Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Shimoga, Karnataka, India
V. Revathy Department of Child Health Nursing, Mother Theresa Post Graduate and Research Institute of Health Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
P. Vanaja Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, Madras Medical College, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
M. Abi Rami Department of Nursing Service, PhD Scholar, INC, National Consortium, INC, India
Mohammed Umar Department of Nursing, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India
Renji George John Department of Mental Health Nursing, Pushpagiri College of Nursing, Kerala University of Health Sciences, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
Amit Kumar Meena Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Mansarovar Nursing College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Indhumathi Devabaktula Department of Operation Theatre, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20260256

Keywords:

Mindfulness-based interventions, Preoperative anxiety, Surgical care, Mind-body intervention, Anxiety reduction, Perioperative nursing, MBSR/MBCT, Enhanced recovery

Abstract

Preoperative anxiety is a prevalent and clinically significant issue that adversely affects surgical outcomes, anesthetic requirements, postoperative recovery, and overall patient experience. As healthcare systems increasingly emphasize holistic and patient-centered care, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have emerged as promising non-pharmacological strategies for addressing psychological distress prior to surgery. This integrative review synthesizes evidence from 40 studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental designs, cohort studies, mixed-method investigations, and qualitative analyses, to evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs in reducing preoperative anxiety among adult surgical patients. Across diverse surgical populations-ranging from general, orthopedic, cardiac, and oncologic to ambulatory and gynecologic procedures-MBIs consistently produced meaningful reductions in anxiety. Brief mindfulness practices, such as 5-15-minute breathing and awareness exercises, demonstrated rapid effectiveness, making them suitable for fast-paced clinical environments. More structured programs, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), produced the greatest benefits, especially in high-anxiety groups such as oncology and cardiac patients. Physiological improvements, including reduced heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels alongside increased heart-rate variability, support the psychological findings and highlight the mind-body regulatory mechanisms involved. Qualitative evidence further revealed enhanced emotional grounding, reduced fear of anesthesia and surgical uncertainty, and improved perceived control. Overall, MBIs represent accessible, safe, cost-effective, and versatile interventions that can be integrated into modern preoperative care pathways. Their incorporation has the potential to improve emotional resilience, patient satisfaction, and perioperative outcomes.

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