The comparison between propofol and dexmedetomidine infusion on perioperative anxiety during regional anesthesia

Background/aim: Regional anesthesia for surgery is associated with increased anxiety for patients. This study aimed to compare the
effect of propofol and dexmedetomidine infusion on perioperative anxiety during regional anesthesia.

Materials and methods: Eighty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups receiving either study drug infusion. Anxiety
score, level of sedation using the Bispectral Index and Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation, hemodynamic stability, and
overall patient’s feedback on anxiolysis were assessed.

Results: Both groups showed a significant drop in mean anxiety score at 10 and 30 min after starting surgery. Difference in median
anxiety scores showed a significant reduction in anxiety score at the end of the surgery in the dexmedetomidine group compared to the
propofol group. Dexmedetomidine and propofol showed a significant drop in mean arterial pressure in the first 30 min and first 10 min
respectively. Both drugs demonstrated a significant drop in heart rate in the first 20 min from baseline after starting the drug infusion.
Patients in the dexmedetomidine group (76.20%) expressed statistically excellent feedback on anxiolysis compared to patients in the
propofol group (45.20%).

Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine infusion was found to significantly reduce anxiety levels at the end of surgery compared to propofol
during regional anesthesia.