Behavioral preparation of patients for gastrointestinal endoscopy: information, relaxation, and coping style.

The effectiveness of two techniques for preparing patients to undergo a stressful medical examination was assessed using observer self-report, and physiological measures of distress during gastrointestinal endoscopy. Patients were either informed about expected sensations, trained in systematic muscle relaxation, or received normal hospital procedures. The influence of coping styles on the effectiveness of information and relaxation techniques was examined for measures of fear, avoidance, emotional control, arousability, and independence. Information and relaxation interventions reduced heart rate increases and observer ratings of distress during tube insertion. Relaxation training also increased positive mood change following the procedure. Interactions between coping styles and recovery measures suggested patients benefited most from preparation that matched their preferred coping style, but were not harmed by preparation that did not match their preferred style. Discussion focuses on how coping styles may interact with preparation procedures and suggests that the use of coping styles as criteria for excluding patients from certain preparation techniques is inappropriate.