Preparing children for radiologic procedures: contingent versus noncontingent instruction

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of choice of information in preprocedural instruction on children's responses to select radiologic procedures. Sixty-one children were randomly assigned to either the contingent (n = 31) or noncontingent (n = 30) instruction group. Contingent instruction provided information in response to children's questions and requests. Noncontingent instruction provided children information based on recommendations from the literature and clinical practice. Dependent variables were measured using the Manifest Upset Scale, Cooperation Scale, search for information protocol, and self-report of distress. Contingent instruction was associated with less search for information. Prior to painful instrusive radiologic procedures, a choice of information may not support information-seeking, a strategy for adaptation.