The effect of using tablet computer on surgical stress: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Journal of pediatric urology 2022-06, Vol.18 (3), p.340-340.e9
• Main Authors: Evren Sahin, Kubra, Karkiner, Aytac
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Anxiolytic; MAS score; mYPAS score; PSAS score
• ISSN: 1477-5131; 1873-4898
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2022.03.008

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of tablet computer method on children with and without anxiety. The study was designed as a prospective single-blinded randomized controlled trial. The population of the study were 300 patients between the ages of 4 and 10 years old who were scheduled for their first elective surgery for phimosis-inguinal hernia-hydrocele-undescended testis-hypospadias. The initial anxiety scores of the patients were evaluated using modified-Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS). Group-Midazolam, Group-Tablet, Group-Control were formed by applying randomization to the patients. The anxiety levels of the patients were evaluated in the waiting room using mYPAS after 0.5 mg/kg midazolam or tablet computer. Patient anxiety about separation from their families was evaluated with Parental Separation Anxiety Scale (PSAS), and reactions to the anaesthesia mask were evaluated with Mask Acceptance Scale (MAS). Also, the time spent by the patients in the Post-Operative Care Unit (PACU) was evaluated. Post-Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire (PHBQ) scores of the patients were determined by the anesthesiologist one week after the surgery. The study compared the anxiety levels in groups. There were significant differences in the post-anxiolytic-mYPAS-scores and percentages of decrease from the preoperative baseline measurements (p