Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
15:18

Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure

Published on: July 30, 2009

17.2K

Preoperative interventions for reducing anxiety in school-age children undergoing surgery: a network meta-analysis

Inês Martins Esteves1,2,3, Rita Pires4,5, Márcia Pestana-Santos3

  • 1School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|February 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This review compares treatments to reduce anxiety in children undergoing surgery. It aims to rank interventions by effectiveness and safety for better pediatric surgical care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Child Psychology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Preoperative anxiety is common in school-age children undergoing elective surgery.
  • Anxiety can negatively impact the surgical experience and recovery.
  • Effective interventions are needed to manage pediatric preoperative anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the benefits and harms of pharmacological and non-pharmacological preoperative interventions for reducing anxiety in school-age children.
  • To rank these interventions based on their efficacy and safety.
  • To inform clinical practice guidelines for pediatric preoperative anxiety management.

Main Methods:

  • This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review.
  • Systematic review of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
  • Interventions will be assessed for reducing anxiety in children undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia.

Main Results:

  • This section will present the findings of the systematic review once completed.
  • Results will detail the comparative effectiveness and safety of various interventions.
  • Ranking of interventions will be provided based on synthesized evidence.

Conclusions:

  • The review will provide evidence-based recommendations for managing preoperative anxiety in children.
  • Findings will guide the selection of optimal interventions for pediatric surgical patients.
  • This research aims to improve the perioperative experience for children and their families.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
749
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
1.8K
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview01:26

Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview

Anxiolytic drugs are vital in managing anxiety disorders by effectively alleviating symptoms such as excessive fear, tachycardia, and tremors. There are several classes of anxiolytic medications, each with unique mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
1.2K
Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy01:26

Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy

Sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy are distinct medical procedures that enable physicians to internally inspect different parts of the GI tract. Although they serve different purposes, each is essential for diagnosing and, in some cases, treating various medical conditions.
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
795
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management01:28

Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...
381