This randomized controlled study will investigate the effects of guided imagery on preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. Conducted between September 2025 and June 2026 at a public hospital in Zonguldak, Turkey, the study will include patients scheduled for total joint arthroplasty following ethics committee approval. The intervention group will receive guided imagery twice preoperatively and once daily at 48 and 72 hours postoperatively. Outcomes will be assessed using the Surgical Anxiety Scale, surgery-specific anxiety scale, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and analgesic consumption tracking.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients who have undergone unilateral arthroplasty surgery,
* Without cognitive impairment,
* Who speak and write Turkish,
* Without hearing or vision problems,
* Without any other acute illness causing pain or anxiety,
* Who received the same analgesic agent in the treatment protocol during the postoperative period,
* And who volunteered to participate in the study will be included.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Having a diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome or neuropathic pain,
* Having a diagnosis of psychiatric illness/being under treatment
* Continuous use of analgesic/sedative medication that may affect the pain threshold,
* Hearing impairment or severe cognitive impairment that prevents participation in guided imagery applications.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.