Reducing distress associated with pelvic examinations: a replication

A previous study of the effect of a new examination gown on patients' experienced discomfort during pelvic examination demonstrated that the gown was effective. This study replicated the previous study with a younger group of subjects. It was hypothesized that the new gown would reduce reported distress. Subjects were 147 patients at a university student health center. Age ranged from 18 to 31. Informed consent was obtained and patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental gown or the standard drape condition. Following examination, subjects completed questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, state and trait anxiety, desired changes in pelvic examination procedures, and reactions to the examination. The attending nurse recorded blood pressure. Results supported the hypotheses. Experimental subjects rated the gown as more comfortable than control subjects rated the drape. Results indicate that this simple stimulus control intervention reduces one source of distress associated with pelvic examinations.