Patients undergoing cardiac surgery often complain of anxiety before a major operation and the resulting stress. This circumstance is a risk factor for mental problems that may occur after the operation (e.g., delirium or memory deficits). This study aims to prevent these discomforts by a preoperative relaxation intervention.
Elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic or mitral valve replacement/reconstruction, or combination surgery) with standardized extracorporeal circulation.
A sufficiently good knowledge of German is necessary as neuropsychological tests are language-dependent.
History of acute clinically relevant cognitive impairment of any cause (e.g., dementia, depression, stroke, multiple sclerosis) that may impair neuropsychological evaluation.
Contraindications to the presentation of binaural beats or visual stimuli (e.g., epilepsy),
Significant hearing loss or astigmatism, which may interfere with optimal perception of auditory and visual stimuli.
Taking sedatives on the day of surgery.