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Visual Education and Distraction for Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Children and Parents: A Randomized Controlled
Ayla Kaya1, Fahriye Pazarcıkcı2, Emine Efe1
1Faculty of Nursing, Pediatric Nursing Department, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye.
Aim:
To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of visual education and distraction methods in reducing preoperative anxiety among children and their parents.
Design:
Three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial.
Methods:
The study was conducted between June 2023 and September 2024 in the paediatric outpatient surgery unit of a university hospital in Türkiye. A total of 105 children aged 5-12 years and their parents were randomly assigned to one of three groups: visual education, distraction using a kaleidoscope or control. Anxiety levels were assessed using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) for children and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S) for parents. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA, independent samples t-tests, Bonferroni post hoc tests, effect size and observed power.
Results:
Both interventions significantly reduced preoperative anxiety compared with the control group. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant between-group differences for children (F = 11.937, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.190) and parents (F = 9.164, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.152). Bonferroni post hoc analyses confirmed that visual education and kaleidoscope distraction were effective in reducing anxiety in both children and parents. Although visual education produced a greater numerical reduction in anxiety, the difference between visual education and kaleidoscope distraction was not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
These results highlight the importance of integrating structured visual education and distraction strategies into routine paediatric nursing practice. Such interventions support family-centred care, enhance perioperative cooperation and may contribute to improved clinical experiences for children and parents.
Clinical Relevance:
Structured visual education programs and distraction strategies can be integrated into routine paediatric nursing practice to support children and parents in the surgical process, enhance cooperation and improve perioperative care outcomes.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05279976.