Background: Orthopaedic surgery is largely successful; however, a proportion of patients are dissatisfied and report pain and poor function. Psychological factors have been shown to influence orthopaedic surgical outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the types and effectiveness of preoperative psychological interventions in elective orthopaedic surgery.

Methods: A registered systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42017073833) was performed on literature (1960-January 2018) using eight databases. Prospective controlled clinical trials involving adult and adolescent elective orthopaedic surgery were included. Interventions examined included relaxation, cognitive behavioural therapy, hypnosis, emotional counselling and mixed psychotherapies; general procedural education was excluded. Outcomes extracted included pain, anxiety, quality of life and disability.

Results: A total of 19 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 1893 patients). Meta-analyses were performed for pain, anxiety and quality of life. Analysis did not find enough evidence to confirm reduction in post-operative pain (seven studies, 666 patients; g = -0.15 (95% CI -0.42, 0.13), P = 0.305). Pooled data from six studies on acute post-operative anxiety (589 patients) showed a moderate statistically significant benefit (g = -0.26 (-0.49, -0.03), P = 0.024). There was an improved quality of life (mental component) at longer term follow-up (g = 0.25 (0.02, 0.49), P = 0.034).

Conclusions: These studies provide evidence that psychological interventions have a positive effect on anxiety in the acute post-operative period, and on mental components of quality of life at longer term follow-up.

Keywords: arthroplasty; orthopaedics; patient outcome assessment; psychological techniques; relaxation therapy.

© 2019 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.