Postoperative thermal comfort: Associations with pain,anxiety and body temperature

Abstract

This prospective longitudinal observational study examined postoperative thermal comfort in relation to body temperature and explored its associations with pain and anxiety. Adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were assessed at five time points from the day before surgery to 72 h postoperatively. Thermal comfort was lowest immediately after surgery and improved over time, whereas body temperature followed a distinct recovery pattern. Pain and anxiety were associated with lower thermal comfort, whereas body temperature and peripheral perfusion were not. These findings indicate that postoperative thermal discomfort is not explained solely by body temperature and reflects a broader symptom burden. Thermal comfort assessment in the immediate postoperative period can aid perioperative practitioners in identifying patients requiring more comprehensive symptom assessment, thereby supporting improved patient-centred care.