Perioperative Anxiety: Recent Advances in Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatments

Research Article

Abstract

Anxiety, as an unpleasant subjective experience, not only adversely affects postoperative recovery and treatment satisfaction in surgical patients but also increases the risk of postoperative complications and mortality. Current management strategies for perioperative anxiety primarily involve pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacological interventions. Pharmacological options include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), benzodiazepines, antiepileptic drugs, and certain herbal medicines. However, the clinical application of anxiolytic drugs is often limited by their considerable side effects. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies—such as massage/tuina, acupoint stimulation, aromatherapy, and herbal treatments—are gaining increasing recognition for their favorable safety profiles. This review comprehensively analyzes and summarizes recent advances in both Western and TCM approaches for perioperative anxiety, aiming to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical practice.