- Research
- Open access
- Published:
Effect of intravenous esketamine on postoperative sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial
BMC Geriatrics volume 25, Article number: 148 (2025)
Abstract
Background
The population of elderly individuals undergoing surgical procedures is increasing, necessitating effective postoperative management strategies. Postoperative sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression are significant contributors to overall recovery in this demographic, especially following laparoscopic abdominal surgery.
Methods
This study included 200 records of elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Patients were divided into an esketamine group, receiving intravenous esketamine, and a control group, receiving normal saline. Parameters such as surgery and anesthesia duration, fluid volume, blood loss, urine output, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, pain assessment, and adverse events were compared between the two groups.
Results
The esketamine group had significantly fewer postoperative sleep disturbances, lower anxiety and depression scores on days 1 and 3, and lower Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores compared to the control group (P < 0.05). They also required less rescue analgesia, used fewer opioids, and consumed fewer non-opioid analgesics (P < 0.05). However, the esketamine group experienced a higher incidence of dissociative symptoms (P < 0.05), while other adverse events were similar between the groups. Overall, esketamine improved pain management and reduced anxiety and depression but increased the risk of dissociative symptoms.
Conclusions
Intravenous esketamine administration in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery was associated with reduced postoperative sleep disturbance, lower postoperative pain scores, lower anxiety and depression scores, decreased rescue analgesia requirements, reduced opioid consumption, and a lower use of non-opioid analgesic medications.
Clinical trial number
This clinical study was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR, ChiCTR2400087795).
Introduction
The population of elderly individuals undergoing surgical procedures has been steadily increasing due to advancements in medical care, leading to a growing need for effective postoperative management strategies tailored to this demographic [1, 2]. Among the array of challenges faced by elderly surgical patients, postoperative sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression emerge as significant contributors to overall recovery and well-being [3]. Laparoscopic abdominal surgery, a commonly performed procedure in the elderly population, presents specific concerns related to postoperative complications, including sleep disturbances and psychological distress [4]. In light of these considerations, the exploration of pharmacological interventions targeting these outcomes is of paramount importance in optimizing postoperative care for elderly surgical patients [5].
Esketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has shown promising results in managing depression and acute pain is based on the known pharmacological properties of esketamine [6, 7]. Esketamine is a glutamatergic modulator that has been studied for its potential in the treatment of depression, particularly treatment-resistant depression [8]. It acts as a non-competitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor, which is involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders [9, 10]. Additionally, esketamine has demonstrated rapid-acting antidepressant effects in clinical trials, leading to its approval for use in treatment-resistant depression. Furthermore, esketamine has also been studied for its analgesic properties in managing acute pain. Its mechanism of action involves modulation of the central sensitization process, which is relevant to the perception of pain. Postoperative sleep disturbance represents a prevalent and burdensome aspect of recovery following surgical procedures, with implications for overall well-being and functional outcomes [11]. Sleep disturbances, including disrupted sleep patterns, insomnia, and altered sleep architecture, are frequently reported in the postoperative period, posing challenges to recuperation and physical recovery in elderly patients [12]. The significance of addressing postoperative sleep disturbance is underscored by its potential to influence pain perception, cognitive function, and psychological recovery, highlighting the need for effective interventions to mitigate its impact on elderly surgical patients [13, 14].Anxiety and depression represent additional dimensions of concern in the postoperative care of elderly surgical patients, with implications for recovery, functional outcomes, and overall quality of life [15, 16]. The psychological distress experienced in the postoperative period can manifest as anxiety, despondency, and reduced psychological well-being, warranting comprehensive strategies to address these aspects of patient care [17]. The multifaceted implications of anxiety and depression on postoperative recovery emphasize the need for targeted interventions that encompass both pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities to support the psychological well-being of elderly surgical patients [18, 19].
In the context of laparoscopic abdominal surgery, which encompasses a spectrum of procedures ranging from cholecystectomy to colectomy, the specific challenges related to postoperative sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression in elderly patients necessitate tailored interventions that incorporate the nuanced considerations of this patient population. The potential of intravenous esketamine to address these multifaceted challenges represents an area of interest that warrants comprehensive investigation, encompassing the impact of esketamine on postoperative sleep quality, pain control, and psychological recovery in elderly surgical patients [20]. This study aimed to investigate the effect of intravenous esketamine on postoperative sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery. By elucidating the potential impact of intravenous esketamine on the multifaceted dimensions of postoperative recovery in this patient population, this research contributes to the ongoing efforts to optimize postoperative care for elderly surgical patients. Furthermore, the exploration of the multifaceted effects of esketamine in the context of postoperative care in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery holds significant implications for enhancing the quality and comprehensiveness of postoperative management strategies tailored to this demographic.
Methods
Study design and population
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted on 200 elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic abdominal surgery at Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital. Patients were allocated into control group (n = 100) and esketamine group (n = 100) by using computer-generated randomization. The randomization sequence was generated by an independent statistician using a random number table, and the allocation was concealed using sealed, opaque envelopes. Group assignments were revealed to the anesthesiologist administering the treatment immediately prior to induction of anesthesia. Both patients and outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. Inclusion criteria were as follows: patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery aged 60 years or older, with normal coagulation, liver, and kidney function, and complete clinical records. Exclusion criteria included severe cognitive impairment, contraindications to the anesthetic drugs used in this study, intraoperative conversion to open surgery, and long-term use of psychotropic drugs (Fig. 1). The sample size was calculated based on published data from Qiu et al. [21], which reported the incidence of postoperative sleep disturbance on postoperative day 1 as 22.8% in the esketamine group and 44.0% in the control group. Using a two-sided test with a significance level of 0.05 and a power of 80%, the minimum required sample size was calculated to be 78 patients per group. Allowing for a 10% dropout rate, the final sample size was adjusted to 87 patients per group, resulting in a total of 174 participants. Our study included 200 participants (100 in each group), which exceeded the required sample size. This ensured that our study was adequately powered to detect differences in postoperative sleep disturbance and other outcomes.
This study was approved by the medical ethics committee of Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital. Informed consent forms were obtained from each participant and his/her guardian. The procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards set forth by the Committee on Human Experimentation and the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. This clinical study was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR, ChiCTR2400087795).
Treatment method
Patients in the esketamine group received intravenous esketamine at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg/h (Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., China), starting 10 min before the induction of anesthesia and continuing until the end of the surgical procedure. The total dose of esketamine administered was calculated based on the duration of surgery for each patient. Meanwhile, patients in the control group were administered an equivalent volume of normal saline. Both esketamine and normal saline were prepared by the same nurse, who was not involved in the study, using a 20 mL syringe to dilute 50 mg of esketamine to 20 mL with normal saline. Personnel involved in patient management and postoperative follow-up anesthesia care were randomly assigned to the two groups, and the allocation was not disclosed to the patients before discharge.
Data collection
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system, the ASA score was used to assess the patient’s physical condition and surgical risk prior to anesthesia consisting six grades. The specific grading criteria are as follows: Grade 1 refers to a healthy patient capable of withstanding anesthesia; Grade 2 indicates a patient with mild systemic disease, no functional limitations, and able to withstand anesthesia; Grade 3 represents a patient with severe systemic disease and some functional impairment, but still able to tolerate anesthesia; Grade 4 denotes a patient with severe systemic disease requiring lifelong continuous treatment, posing a high anesthetic risk, and necessitating thorough preoperative anesthesia preparation; Grade 5 indicates a moribund patient who is unlikely to survive for 24 h, regardless of surgery; Grade 6 refers to a brain-dead patient. In addition, the VAS score was a commonly used pain assessment tool, used to evaluate pain intensity, including chronic and postoperative pain in clinical practice.
In addition, Postoperative sleep quality was evaluated using the numeric rating scale (NRS), postoperative sleep disturbance was defined as having an NRS score of 6 or higher, indicating that sleep was repeatedly interrupted throughout the night, or even worse [22]. The NRS score ranges from 0 to 10, wherein 0 represents excellent or good sleep and 10 represents the inability to fall asleep all night [23].
The VAS score was typically represented by a horizontal line or vertical column, with “no pain” and “worst possible pain” at each end, and patients mark a point between these two ends to indicate their current level of pain. The VAS score ranged from 0 to 10, with the following standard interpretations: 0: no pain; 1–3: mild pain, which is tolerable; 4–6: moderate pain, significantly affecting daily activities and comfort; 7–9: severe pain, requiring immediate intervention and management; 10: worst possible pain, unbearable and needing urgent treatment for pain relief.
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a tool used to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. It comprises two subscales: the Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) and the Depression subscale (HADS-D). For each item, respondents select the degree of severity, ranging from 0 to 3, representing none, mild, moderate, and severe. The total score for each subscale ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety or depression symptoms. Scores of 0–7 are considered normal, 8–10 suggest the possibility of mild anxiety or depression, 11–14 indicate the possibility of moderate anxiety or depression, and 15–21 signify the possibility of severe anxiety or depression. It is important to note that the HADS is used as a preliminary screening tool and is not intended for diagnostic purposes. Any indications of potential anxiety or depression symptoms from the initial screening should be followed up with a professional clinical assessment and diagnostic confirmation.
The collection of patient data included general information (age, gender, smoking history, alcohol history, ASA score, and type of abdominal surgery); intraoperative parameters (surgery duration, anesthesia duration, blood loss, urine output); HADS to assess anxiety and depression scores, which were collected during the preoperative evaluation phase (one day prior to surgery), as well as on postoperative day 1 and postoperative day 3; postoperative sleep disturbance (sleep disturbance on postoperative day 1, sleep disturbance on postoperative day 3); postoperative pain assessment (VAS score at 24 h postoperatively, VAS score at 48 h postoperatively, rescue analgesia rate); postoperative analgesic medication use (opioid consumption, non-opioid analgesic use); and the incidence of adverse events (nausea/vomiting, headache, dizziness, dissociative symptoms, sedation).
Statistical analysis
The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 statistical software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Categorical data were represented as [n, (%)], and the chi-square test was applied to compare group differences. The theoretical frequency (T) for each cell in a contingency table was calculated based on the expected counts under the null hypothesis using the formula: T = (Row Total × Column Total) / Grand Total. When the sample size was ≥ 40 and T ≥ 5, the chi-square test was performed using the basic formula: χ² = Σ(Oi - Ei)² / Ei, where Oi and Ei are the observed and expected values, respectively. When the sample size was ≥ 40 but 1 ≤ T < 5, the chi-square test was adjusted using the continuity correction (Yates’ correction) formula: χ² = Σ(|Oi - Ei| − 0.5)²/ Ei. For smaller sample sizes (< 40) or when T < 1), Fisher’s exact test was used to ensure accurate statistical inference. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and were analyzed using the independent samples t-test for normally distributed data, while non-normally distributed data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. To account for the mixed design of the study, which included a between-subject factor (treatment group: esketamine vs. saline) and a within-subject factor (time: preoperative, postoperative day 1, and postoperative day 3), a repeated-measures ANOVA was applied for normally distributed data to analyze interaction effects between the treatment group and time, as well as the main effects of each factor. For non-normally distributed data, generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were used to assess changes across time points while accounting for variability within and between subjects. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons were conducted with Bonferroni corrections to control for multiple testing. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Baseline characteristics
Baseline characteristics of the study participants, including age, gender distribution, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, alcohol intake, ASA score, HADS score, and surgical procedures, were comparable between the two groups, as evidenced by non-significant differences in all parameters (P > 0.05) (Table 1). Therefore, the baseline characteristics of the study cohorts were similar, suggesting that the observed differences in postoperative sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression could be attributed to the use of intravenous esketamine.
Intraoperative parameters
Analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in surgery duration, anesthesia duration, intraoperative fluid volume, blood loss and urine output between the two groups (P > 0.05) (Table 2). These results indicated that the administration of intravenous Esketamine did not significantly impact the intraoperative parameters in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery.
Effectiveness analysis
In a comparison of postoperative sleep disturbance between the control group and the esketamine group, the study revealed that on postoperative day 1, the percentage of patients experiencing sleep disturbance in the esketamine group was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). Similarly, on postoperative day 3, the percentage of patients experiencing sleep disturbance in the esketamine group was significantly lower than in the blank control group (P < 0.05) (Table 3). These findings suggested that intravenous esketamine administration may have a beneficial effect in reducing postoperative sleep disturbance in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery.
On the one hand, it was observed that on postoperative day 1 and day 3, the mean HADS-A score in the esketamine group was significantly lower than in the blank control group (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2A), indicating a reduction in anxiety levels. On the other hand, HADS-D score, on postoperative day 1, the mean score in the esketamine group was significantly lower than in the blank control group, and on postoperative day 3, the mean score in the esketamine group was significantly lower than in the blank control group (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2B). It suggested that intravenous esketamine administration is associated with reduced anxiety and depression in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery.
Difference in negative emotion outcomes, pain intensity and frequency between the control group and esketamine group. (A) Comparison of anxiety score between two groups in postoperative day 1 and day 3, *P < 0.05. (B) Comparison of depression score between two groups in postoperative day 1 and day 3, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. (C) Comparison of Postoperative 24-hour and 48-hour VAS score between two groups, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. (D) Comparison of postoperative opioid consumption used between two groups, ***P < 0.001. (E) Rescue analgesia rate in two groups, orange area was the number of patients who required postoperative rescue analgesia. (F) Postoperative non-opioid analgesic using rate in two groups, orange area was the number of patients who used non-opioid analgesic
The esketamine group exhibited significantly lower postoperative 24-hour VAS scores compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Similarly, at 48 h postoperatively, the esketamine group demonstrated significantly lower VAS score compared to the control group (P < 0.01) (Fig. 2C). Moreover, the esketamine group exhibited significantly lower postoperative opioid consumption compared to the control group (P < 0.001) (Fig. 2D). The use of analgesic medication could also reflect effect of intravenous esketamine, the rescue analgesia rate was significantly lower in the esketamine group compared to the control group (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2E). In addition, a lower percentage of patients in the esketamine group used non-opioid analgesics postoperatively compared to the control group (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2F). The results indicated that the administration of intravenous esketamine was associated with reduced postoperative pain and a lower requirement for rescue analgesia in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Furthermore, the administration of intravenous esketamine was associated with reduced postoperative opioid consumption and a lower use of non-opioid analgesic medications in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery.
Adverse events and side effects
The esketamine group demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of dissociative symptoms compared to the control group (P < 0.01). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of nausea or vomiting, headache, dizziness or lightheadedness and sedation between the two groups (P > 0.05) (Table 4). These findings suggest that the use of intravenous esketamine was associated with a higher incidence of dissociative symptoms, while the incidence of other adverse events and side effects was comparable between the study groups.
Discussion
Laparoscopic abdominal surgery is common in elderly patients, presenting specific challenges related to postoperative complications [24]. The use of intravenous esketamine has been a subject of interest in managing postoperative symptoms, with potential effects on pain control and psychological well-being [25]. This study aimed to investigate the impact of intravenous esketamine on postoperative sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, and pain in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery. The findings from this study contribute to the understanding of the potential benefits and drawbacks of employing intravenous esketamine in this patient population. Esketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, exerts its effects through modulation of various neurotransmitter systems, particularly the glutamatergic system, which plays a crucial role in pain perception, mood regulation, and sleep-wake cycles [26, 27]. Esketamine’s primary mechanism of action involves antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the central nervous system [28]. By blocking NMDA receptors, esketamine inhibits the transmission of pain signals and modulates synaptic plasticity, potentially leading to reduced pain perception in the postoperative period [29]. Furthermore, the modulation of NMDA receptors has been associated with alterations in sleep architecture, potentially contributing to improved sleep quality and reduced postoperative sleep disturbance [7, 30]. The results indicated a significant reduction in postoperative sleep disturbance in the Esketamine Group compared to the Blank Control Group. This finding is consistent with previous research demonstrating esketamine’s potential to improve sleep quality and reduce the incidence of postoperative sleep disturbances. The mechanism underlying esketamine’s effect on sleep remains an area of interest, with studies suggesting its role in regulating sleep cycles and mitigating postoperative insomnia. Further investigation into the specific mechanisms through which esketamine influences sleep patterns is warranted, as it could provide valuable insights for improving postoperative care in elderly patients.
Anxiety and depression are prevalent concerns following surgical procedures, particularly in elderly patient populations [31]. While the study primarily focused on postoperative sleep disturbance and pain, it is important to address the potential impact of esketamine on anxiety and depression [25]. Esketamine’s influence on neurotransmitter systems, including glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and monoamines such as serotonin and dopamine, may underlie its potential to impact psychological well-being [32, 33]. By modifying the balance of these neurotransmitters, esketamine could exert anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, potentially alleviating anxiety and depression in the postoperative period [34, 35]. Some studies have suggested that esketamine may have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, which could be relevant in the postoperative period. The findings of this study revealed that intravenous esketamine administration was associated with reduced levels of anxiety and depression on both postoperative days 1 and 3. The observed decrease in anxiety and depression scores in the esketamine group compared to the blank control group underscores the potential of esketamine to address psychological distress in the postoperative period. These findings are consistent with the multifaceted pharmacological properties of esketamine, including its impact on mood regulation and psychological well-being. The reduction in anxiety and depression scores following esketamine administration is particularly noteworthy given the implications of psychological well-being on postoperative recovery, functional outcomes, and overall quality of life [36, 37]. By modulating neurotransmitter systems involved in mood regulation, esketamine presents a promising avenue for addressing the psychological dimensions of recovery in elderly surgical patients, highlighting the significance of comprehensive strategies that encompass both pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities to support patient well-being.
Esketamine has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, which may have implications for postoperative recovery [38, 39]. Inflammatory processes and neuroinflammation are increasingly recognized as contributors to pain sensitization, mood disturbances, and sleep disturbances [40]. Esketamine’s anti-inflammatory effects may mitigate these processes, potentially leading to improved pain management and psychological well-being postoperatively [41, 42]. The results indicated a significant reduction in postoperative pain, as evidenced by lower VAS scores and decreased rescue analgesia rates in the esketamine Group. The findings align with existing literature supporting esketamine’s role in pain management, possibly through its action on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors [43]. The potential for esketamine to contribute to multimodal analgesia strategies warrants further exploration, particularly in the context of reducing opioid consumption and minimizing opioid-related adverse effects in elderly surgical patients.
While the study demonstrated beneficial effects of intravenous esketamine on postoperative outcomes, the increased incidence of dissociative symptoms warrants attention. It is important to carefully weigh the potential benefits of esketamine against its adverse effects, particularly in elderly patients who may be more susceptible to certain side effects. Future research should aim to optimize dosing regimens and administration protocols to minimize the occurrence of dissociative symptoms while maintaining the therapeutic benefits of esketamine in this patient population. The findings of this study have important clinical implications for the management of postoperative care in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery. The potential role of intravenous esketamine in improving postoperative sleep, reducing pain, and possibly addressing psychological distress underscores its significance as a therapeutic option. However, further research is needed to establish optimal dosing, timing, and long-term outcomes associated with esketamine administration in elderly surgical patients. Long-term follow-up studies assessing the sustained effects of esketamine beyond the immediate postoperative period would provide valuable insights into its overall impact on patient recovery and well-being. It is important to acknowledge several limitations of the study. The sample size and duration of follow-up may have influenced the comprehensive assessment of postoperative outcomes. Additionally, the study focused on specific parameters and did not encompass a broader evaluation of psychological well-being. Future studies should address these limitations and consider a more holistic approach to evaluating the impact of intravenous esketamine on postoperative recovery in elderly surgical patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the findings of this study underscore the potential of intravenous esketamine to mitigate postoperative sleep disturbance, reduce pain, and impact psychological well-being in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery. While the study yields promising results, further research is warranted to elucidate the optimal use of esketamine in this patient population and address potential concerns regarding adverse effects. By enhancing our understanding of the multifaceted effects of intravenous esketamine, this study contributes to the ongoing efforts to optimize postoperative care for elderly surgical patients.
Data availability
All data generated or analyzed in this study are included in the present manuscript.
References
Kenmotsu H. [Advanced Medical Care]. Gan Kagaku Ryoho. 2022;49:1305–9.
Korfage IJ, Carreras G, Arnfeldt Christensen CM, et al. Advance care planning in patients with advanced cancer: a 6-country, cluster-randomised clinical trial. PLoS Med. 2020;17:e1003422.
Deng CM, Meng ZT, Yang J, et al. Effect of intraoperative remimazolam on postoperative sleep quality in elderly patients after total joint arthroplasty: a randomized control trial. J Anesth. 2023;37:511–21.
Albers KI, Polat F, Loonen T, et al. Visualising improved peritoneal perfusion at lower intra-abdominal pressure by fluorescent imaging during laparoscopic surgery: a randomised controlled study. Int J Surg. 2020;77:8–13.
Owada Y, Murata Y, Hamaguchi Y, et al. Comparison of postoperative analgesic effects of thoracic epidural analgesia and rectus sheath block in laparoscopic abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled noninferiority trial. Asian J Endosc Surg. 2023;16:423–31.
Qiu D, Wang XM, Yang JJ, et al. Effect of Intraoperative Esketamine Infusion on postoperative sleep disturbance after Gynecological Laparoscopy: a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5:e2244514.
Wang Y, Zhang Q, Dai X, Xiao G, Luo H. Effect of low-dose esketamine on pain control and postpartum depression after cesarean section: a retrospective cohort study. Ann Palliat Med. 2022;11:45–57.
Li S, Zhuo Z, Li R, Guo K. Efficacy of esketamine for the treatment of postpartum depression and pain control following cesarean section: a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. BMC Anesthesiol. 2024;24:52.
Liu QR, Zong QK, Ding LL, et al. Effects of perioperative use of esketamine on postpartum depression risk in patients undergoing cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2023;339:815–22.
Wang W, Xu H, Ling B, et al. Effects of esketamine on analgesia and postpartum depression after cesarean section: a randomized, double-blinded controlled trial. Med (Baltim). 2022;101:e32010.
Luo D, Su Y, Pang Y. Effects of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block on postoperative sore throat and postoperative sleep disturbance after lumbar spine surgery: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Anesthesiol. 2023;23:343.
McHill AW, Hull JT, Klerman EB. Chronic circadian disruption and sleep restriction influence subjective hunger, Appetite, and Food Preference. Nutrients. 2022;14.
Schaafsma A, Mallee L, van den Belt M et al. The Effect of a whey-protein and Galacto-oligosaccharides based product on parameters of Sleep Quality, stress, and gut microbiota in apparently healthy adults with moderate sleep disturbances: a randomized controlled cross-over study. Nutrients. 2021;13.
Gaspar MP, Osterman MN, Shin EK, Osterman AL, Kane PM. Sleep disturbance and response to surgical decompression in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: a prospective randomized pilot comparison of open versus endoscopic release. Acta Biomed. 2019;90:92–6.
Amsterdam JD, Li QS, Xie SX, Mao JJ. Putative antidepressant effect of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oral extract in subjects with Comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and depression. J Altern Complement Med. 2020;26:813–9.
16, Rozenman M, Piacentini J, O’Neill J, et al. Improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms following cognitive behavior therapy for pediatric obsessive compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Res. 2019;276:115–23.
Nematolahi P, Mehrabani M, Karami-Mohajeri S, Dabaghzadeh F. Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. on memory performance, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in university students: a randomized clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;30:24–8.
Zemestani M, Fazeli Nikoo Z. Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for comorbid depression and anxiety in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2020;23:207–14.
Goodwin GM, Aaronson ST, Alvarez O, et al. Single-dose psilocybin for a treatment-resistant episode of major depression: impact on patient-reported depression severity, anxiety, function, and quality of life. J Affect Disord. 2023;327:120–7.
Yang Y, Zhang Y, Zhou G, et al. Efficacy of epidural esketamine on postoperative sleep quality after laparoscopic and robotic lower abdominal surgeries: a study protocol for randomised, double-blind, controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2024;14:e081589.
Qiu D, Wang XM, Yang JJ, et al. Effect of Intraoperative Esketamine Infusion on postoperative sleep disturbance after Gynecological Laparoscopy: a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(12):e2244514. Published 2022 Dec 1.
Cai J, Chen Y, Hao X, et al. Effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine dose on postoperative first night sleep quality in elderly surgery patients: a retrospective study with propensity score-matched analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:528.
Duan G, Wang K, Peng T, Wu Z, Li H. The effects of intraoperative dexmedetomidine use and its different dose on postoperative sleep disturbance in patients who have undergone non-cardiac major surgery: a real-world cohort study. Nat Sci Sleep. 2020;12:209–19.
Caglià P, Tracia A, Buffone A, et al. Physiopathology and clinical considerations of laparoscopic surgery in the elderly. Int J Surg. 2016;33(Suppl 1):S97–102.
Yongping Z, Xinyi L, Aming S, et al. The safety and efficacy of esketamine in comparison to dexmedetomidine during drug-induced sleep endoscopy in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome: a randomized, controlled and prospective clinical trial. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:1036509.
Guo Y, Chen L, Gao Z, et al. Is esketamine-based opioid-free anesthesia more superior for postoperative analgesia in obstructive sleep apnea patients undergoing bariatric surgery? A study protocol. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022;9:1039042.
Jing Z, Han Y, Li Y, et al. Effect of subanesthetic dose of esketamine on postoperative pain in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrointestinal tumor surgery:a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Heliyon. 2024;10:e27593.
Li J, Wang Z, Wang A, Wang Z. Clinical effects of low-dose esketamine for anaesthesia induction in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2022;47:759–66.
Niu G, Zheng X, Deng B, Du YS, Mei Y. The effects of prophylactic use of esketamine on postoperative depression and quality of life: a meta-analysis. Minerva Anestesiol. 2024.
Tang J, Zhang E, Huang B, Fei Y, Yao M. Efficacy of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with Esketamine for Herpes Zoster Associated with breakthrough Pain. Pain Physician. 2023;26:299–306.
Calabrese C, Gregory WL, Leo M, et al. Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2008;14:707–13.
Murrough JW, Iosifescu DV, Chang LC, et al. Antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in treatment-resistant major depression: a two-site randomized controlled trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2013;170:1134–42.
Lucchese AC, Sarin LM, Magalhães EJM, et al. Repeated subcutaneous esketamine for treatment-resistant depression: impact of the degree of treatment resistance and anxiety comorbidity. J Psychopharmacol. 2021;35:142–9.
Brendle M, Ahuja S, Valle MD, et al. Safety and effectiveness of intranasal esketamine for treatment-resistant depression: a real-world retrospective study. J Comp Eff Res. 2022;11:1323–36.
Martinotti G, Dell’Osso B, Di Lorenzo G, et al. Treating bipolar depression with esketamine: safety and effectiveness data from a naturalistic multicentric study on esketamine in bipolar versus unipolar treatment-resistant depression. Bipolar Disord. 2023;25:233–44.
Samalin L, Rothärmel M, Mekaoui L, et al. Esketamine nasal spray in patients with treatment-resistant depression: the real-world experience in the French cohort early-access programme. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2022;26:352–62.
Yavi M, Lee H, Henter ID, Park LT, Zarate CA. Jr. Ketamine treatment for depression: a review. Discov Ment Health. 2022;2:9.
Grabski M, Waldron J, Freeman TP, van Laar M, Curran HV. Is approving esketamine as an antidepressant for treatment resistant depression associated with recreational use and risk perception of ketamine? Results from a longitudinal and cross-sectional survey in nightlife attendees. Int J Drug Policy. 2022;102:103612.
McIntyre RS, Rosenblat JD, Nemeroff CB, et al. Synthesizing the evidence for ketamine and esketamine in treatment-resistant depression: an International Expert Opinion on the available evidence and implementation. Am J Psychiatry. 2021;178:383–99.
Pepe M, Bartolucci G, Marcelli I et al. The Patient’s Perspective on the Effects of Intranasal Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression. Brain Sci. 2023;13.
Daly EJ, Turkoz I, Salvadore G, et al. The effect of esketamine in patients with treatment-resistant depression with and without comorbid anxiety symptoms or disorder. Depress Anxiety. 2021;38:1120–30.
Wang CH, Lv CY, Lin YF, et al. Effect of esketamine on perioperative anxiety and depression in women with systemic tumors based on big data medical background. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2024;28:1797–811.
Kaur U, Pathak BK, Singh A, Chakrabarti SS. Esketamine: a glimmer of hope in treatment-resistant depression. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2021;271:417–29.
Acknowledgements
The authors express their appreciation to staff in Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, for their technical assistance.
Funding
This research was funded by Innovative Research Program of Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital (NO. XYY2023QA10).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Conceptualization, Haijin Wang and Lan Wang; Data curation, Haijin Wang, Lan Wang, Jing Gao and Fengqi Zhou; Investigation, Jing Gao and Fengqi Zhou; Writing– original draft, Haijin Wang, Lan Wang, Jing Gao and Fengqi Zhou; Writing– review & editing, Haijin Wang and Lan Wang. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine in accordance with regulatory and ethical guidelines. Prior to enrollment, all eligible study subjects provided written informed consent. The procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards set forth by the Committee on Human Experimentation and the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.
Consent to participate
Informed consent forms were obtained from each participant and his/her guardian.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, H., Wang, L., Gao, J. et al. Effect of intravenous esketamine on postoperative sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatr 25, 148 (2025). https://doiorg.publicaciones.saludcastillayleon.es/10.1186/s12877-025-05787-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doiorg.publicaciones.saludcastillayleon.es/10.1186/s12877-025-05787-y