Afrifa, A.Danquah, S.A.Ofori, M.A.University of Ghana, College of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology2015-06-122017-10-142015-06-122017-10-142004-0630692100727047http://197.255.68.203/handle/123456789/6165This study was conducted to find out the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy on preoperative anxiety and post-surgical recovery. The study involved forty (40) elective surgical patients of both genders who came in for either a major or minor surgery at the surgical block of the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire-interview. The experimental group went through the cognitive behavioural therapy, which comprised of cognitive techniques, together with breathing-in techniques and progressive muscle relaxation. This group was compared with the control group who went through no intervention. It was found out that the experimental group recovered faster than the control group. Also the anxiety levels of the experimental group were lower prior to surgery than the control group. The number of days patients spent in the hospital together with the pain medication taken after the operation was also considered. Other factors considered included gender and age in relation to the intervention which showed no significant difference, and anxiety level and type of surgery, which did not also yield any significant difference. On the whole, cognitive behaviour method was found to be very beneficial in reducing anxiety prior to surgery and facilitating postoperative recovery among elective surgical patients.iii,110pen-USThesisUniversity of Ghana