Nazanin Babaei - Research Development Center, Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Saliminia - Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,Tehran, Iran
Omid Azimaraghi - Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,Tehran, Iran
Yasaman Aghajani - Research Development Center, Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Noushin Khazaei - Research Development Center, Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali Movafegh

Background: Many patients undergoing surgical procedures experiencepreoperative anxiety. Therefore; develop a drug as a premedication withstrong anxiolytic effect and minimal psychomotor impairment is desirable.Materials and Methods: Under ethics committee approval, eighty patients,who met the inclusion criteria, were randomly assigned to two groups toreceive either oral Valiflore (600 mg, Niak) or placebo as a premedication, 90minutes before surgery. A numerical rating scale (NRS) for anxiety and theRamsay sedation scale were measured at baseline, and 15, 30, 60, 90 minutesafter premedication. Psychomotor function recovery was assessed using theDigit Symbol Substitution Test and the Trieger Dot Test on arrival in theoperating room, 30 and 90 minutes after tracheal extubation. The duration ofanesthesia, surgery and recovery time were recorded for each patient.Results: There were no significant differences in the patients’ demographiccharacteristics, ASA physical status, basal NRS score, the sedation level atdifferent time intervals, duration of anesthesia, surgery and recovery time inthe two groups (p> 0.05). The NRS anxiety scores were significantly lowerin the Valiflore group in comparison with the control group (p<0.001).There was no significant difference in psychomotor function test in bothgroups.Conclusion: Oral administration of Valiflore as a premedication reducesanxiety before surgery without inducing sedation.

Anxiety, Herbal medicine, Premedication, Preoperative anxiety, Valiflore