A study to assess the effectiveness of art therapy on pre-operative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery admitted in surgical wards of Sree Balaji Medical College and hospital, Chennai-44

The study explores the concept of health, mental wellness, and nursing. Health involves achieving human potential through goal-directed behaviour, self-care, and satisfying relationships. Mental wellness is a positive attribute, promoting emotional well-being and flexibility. Nursing focuses on protecting, promoting, and optimizing health and abilities, preventing illness and injury, and alleviating suffering. Surgery involves cutting or closing wounds. This study used an evaluative approach to assess the effectiveness of art therapy on preoperative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery. A one-group pretest-posttest design was used, with observations made before and after art therapy. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of art therapy on anxiety levels in patients undergoing surgery. The study was conducted at Sree Balaji Medical College and hospital in Chennai-44, a 1300-bed hospital with advanced facilities. The hospital admits 40-50 patients daily due to surgical problems, with 20-30 surgeries occurring in the operation theatre. Patients are accommodated in different surgical wards and shifted to the surgical Intensive Care Unit for observation. After stabilization, they return to their previous ward. The study included all patients admitted for surgery at Sree Balaji Medical College and hospital during the study period. The study involved 60 surgical patients admitted to Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai-44, using a convenient sampling technique, based on availability. Table 1 shows the demographic distribution of 60 patients undergoing surgery, with 20 patients aged 21-30, 31.7% aged 31-40, 31.6% aged 41-50, and 16.7% above 50. The majority were male, with 60.0% being married, and 73.3% were married. 5% were illiterate, while 8.3% had secondary education. 25.5% were unemployed, while 45% were private employees, and 20% had their own business. All patients had prior knowledge about surgery, with 33.3% getting information from relatives, 11.7% from television, and 55% from doctors. The study found a significant association between demographic variables such as educational status, family income, and type of surgery and post-operative anxiety levels in patients undergoing surgery at Sree Balaji Medical College and hospital. The pretest anxiety score significantly differed from the post-test anxiety score. The study concluded that conducting art therapy pre-operatively can reduce anxiety levels and promote recovery during surgery.