Propranolol reduces the anxiety associated with day case surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To find out if propranolol, a non-cardioselective beta-blocker, can reduce the anxiety associated with day case surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized double blind trial.

SETTING

University hospital, Ireland.

SUBJECTS

An unselected group of 53 patients undergoing day case surgery.

INTERVENTION

Subjects randomised to receive either propranolol (10 mg) or placebo on the morning of operation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Blood pressure; pulse, anxiety, pain score and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) Hospital Anxiety and Depression score was significantly lower in the propranolol group than in the control group (2.5 (0.7) compared with 4.6 (0.7), p < 0.0001) before discharge.

CONCLUSION

A low dose of propranolol given on the morning of day case surgery significantly reduced patients' anxiety.