Intervention to Reduce Anxiety Pre- and Post-Eye Surgery in Pediatric Patients in South Korea: A Preliminary Quasi-Experimental Study.

Hanna Lee,Hyeran Yi

doi:10.3390/children9010065

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to identify the effect of preoperative information on postoperative anxiety among children undergoing one-day eye surgery. We utilized a nonequivalent control group and a pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design. The participants were 15 children in the experimental group and 15 children in the control group. Preoperative information was provided to the experimental group in the waiting room. Anxiety level was measured using the Children’s Emotional Manifestation Scale and pulse rate. For pulse rate, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. In the behavioral anxiety response, there were statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups (Z = −4.15, p < 0.001). The results suggest that the provision of preoperative information can be an effective intervention for reducing postoperative anxiety and improving the health of children undergoing surgery.

Highlights

Childhood is a crucial period for the development of vision, and the timely treatment of all eye diseases is critical [1]
We examined the effects of preoperative educational intervention on postoperative anxiety among children scheduled for same-day eye surgery
Both the experimental and control groups showed increased pulse rates after surgery, compared to the baseline, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups. This is similar to findings that pulse rates did not significantly differ in a study that provided a picture-based educational intervention [12] and a study that deployed a diversion intervention using a smartphone [15]. This result partially correlates with Yun, Kim, and Jung [16]: a preoperative program involving a nurse dressed as a clown was implemented, and the children’s physiological anxiety was measured after surgery, concluding that changes in systolic blood pressure were statistically significant, while changes in diastolic blood pressure and pulse rates were not

Summary

Introduction

Childhood is a crucial period for the development of vision, and the timely treatment of all eye diseases is critical [1]. Strabismus—abnormal eye alignment that hinders uniform bilateral eye movement [2]—is a risk factor for amblyopia during vision development. To facilitate the recovery and growth of visual functions disrupted by congenital epiblepharon—a condition that causes the eyelashes to irritate the cornea and induces astigmatism—aggressive treatment, such as surgery, is important [1,3]. Anxiety in children during surgery may elevate their pain, affect their vital signs, and hinder their rapport with health care providers, thereby delaying recovery [6]. Children undergoing eye surgery feel uncomfortable but may experience anxiety due to their vision being limited after the postoperative application of ophthalmic ointment and eye patch [7]

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Discussion

Conclusion