The effect of two different video demonstrations on pain and anxiety in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the effect of two different video demonstrations on pain and anxiety in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Methods: This randomized controlled trial (NCT06339866) was conducted by randomly assigning children aged 6-12 years who underwent adenotonsillectomy to three groups (animation group = 34, cartoon group = 32 and control group = 32). Data were collected using Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, Child Anxiety Scale-Conditioning (CAS-C). Results: The pain score of the children in the control group was found to be significantly higher than that of the other groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the pain score of the children in the cartoon group was found to be significantly higher than that of the children in the educational animation group (p < 0.05). In all of the parent and nurse assessments, the mean scores of the children in the education group were found to be lower after surgery compared to the preoperative period (p < 0.001). A negative correlation was observed between Wong- Baker Faces Expressions Pain Rating Scale scores and change in CAS-C scores (p < 0.05). The changes in CAS-C scores accounted for 26.1 % of the total variance in pain scores according to the children's assessment, 19.0 % according to the parents' assessment, and 42.6 % according to the nurses' assessment. The intraclass correlation analysis was conducted to assess the agreement between the mean scores of children, parents, and nurses on the Wong-Baker Faces Expressions Pain Rating Scale and the CAS-C. The results demonstrated excellent agreement (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of educational animation and cartoons in the preoperative period has a significant effect on reducing postoperative anxiety and pain levels in children. The use of educational animation was found to be the most effective method. In future studies, it is recommended that more impressive videos and presentations with technological developments be used comparatively both in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy and in children undergoing different surgical procedures.