Guided imagery relaxation can be incorporated into nursing care to relieve pain and augment comfort in geriatric patients after orthopedic surgery.

A randomized controlled trial was carried out to assess the influence of guided imagery relaxation practice on postoperative pain and comfort in geriatric orthopedic patients.

Older patients receiving therapy at the orthopedics and traumatology inpatient clinic were considered. On the whole, 102 patients (40 patients- experimental group and 40 patients- control group) comprised the study sample selected arbitarily. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Personal Information Form, and the General Comfort Questionnaire were used to assemble the patients' information.

Pain levels of the experimental group decreased considerably more than their baseline pain values after the use of guided imagery. A substantial improvement in comfort was also observed. Even though the perceived comfort of the geriatric patients in the control group decreased, but it was not significant.

Guided imagery is an economical and accessible way to reduce postoperative pain and boost the comfort of older orthopedics patients.