The Role of ChatGPT in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Patients Planning to Undergo Rhinoplasty

This study investigates the impact of an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot (ChatGPT-3.5, OpenAI) on preoperative anxiety among patients planning rhinoplasty.

In this single-blind, randomized controlled, prospective study, 134 patients were divided into control (n = 66) and study groups (n = 68). The control group read the rhinoplasty patient information document from the Turkish Society of Facial Plastic Surgery, while the study group interacted with ChatGPT, discussing their surgical concerns. Anxiety scores were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the interventions.

Initial State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores showed no significant difference between the groups, with medians of 36 (min-max: 21-60) for the control group and 39 (min-max: 21-58) for the study group (p = 0.573). Post-intervention, the control group showed a significant reduction in SAI scores to a median of 31 (min-max: 21-55; p < 0.001), with a more pronounced decrease in the ChatGPT group to a median of 28 (min-max: 20-53; p < 0.001). The median change in SAI scores was significantly greater in the ChatGPT group (- 6.0; min-max: - 24-6) compared to the control group (-4; min-max: - 16-8; p = 0.035).

Both traditional patient information and interaction with ChatGPT reduced preoperative anxiety in rhinoplasty patients, with ChatGPT proving more effective. Despite promising results, the limitation lies in the non-optimized nature of generic AI chatbots for specific medical uses, suggesting a potential for more specialized AI platforms in healthcare.

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