Effectiveness of Instructional Video on Preoperative Anxiety in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Abstract
Abstract
Background and Aims: Preoperative anxiety in paediatric patients, negatively impacts surgical outcomes and postoperative recovery. Nonpharmacological interventions, such as instructional videos, offer a promising alternative to anxiolytic medications. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an instructional video in reducing preoperative anxiety in children aged 5-12 years undergoing elective surgery.
Material and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia. Forty-seven children scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=24), which viewed an instructional video about the surgical process, or a control group (n=23), which received standard verbal instructions. Anxiety was assessed using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale-Short Form (mYPAS-SF).
Results: The intervention group demonstrated significantly lower preoperative anxiety scores (median mYPAS-SF: 29.17, IQR: 24.47-44.27) compared to the control group (median mYPAS-SF: 45.83, IQR: 29.16-58.33) (p=0.017). Gender analysis indicated higher anxiety levels in females (p=0.022), whereas no significant differences were observed across age groups (p=0.137).
Conclusion: Instructional videos are an effective, nonpharmacological intervention for reducing preoperative anxiety in paediatric patients. Future studies should explore age-specific content customization and home-based implementation to enhance patient and parent preparedness.