The effects of preoperative recreational activities on children's anxiety level during the perioperative period

Hala Obeidat, Ethar Ahmad Alsharydeh, Rose Eva Constantino, Adlah Mohammad Hamlan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Addressing and preventing anxiety preoperatively is crucial in understanding the consequences of preoperative anxiety and preventing unwanted outcomes after surgery. Purpose: This study examined the effects of preoperative recreational activities on the level of anxiety in 2¬–7 year-old children during the perioperative period. Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was used. A convenience sample of 60 children between 2 and 7 years of age who were scheduled for day surgery was recruited. Thirty children were randomly assigned to the intervention group, and thirty to the control group. Participants in the intervention group received a developmentally appropriate toy to play with preoperatively. Participants in the control group received the preoperative standard care. Anxiety was measured using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (modified YPAS) three times. Results: Children in the intervention group exhibiteda lower level of anxiety 15 minutes after the intervention (i.e., time 2) than those in the control group (mean= 41.26±10.58 vs. 62.59±14.29; p = .000). A paired t-test revealed a statistically significant increase in the level of anxiety in the control group between baseline (T1) and 15 minutes after usual care (T2) (t= 5.44; p =0.00). Playing with a developmentally appropriate toy is an effective non-pharmacological method to reduce anxiety levels among 2¬–7 year-old children during the perioperative period in day surgery. Implication: Study findings increase an awareness of introducing age-appropriate play as an essential component in preparing children for surgery to diminish the anxiety they experience. Callouts: 1. Reducing perioperative child anxiety 2. Non-pharmacological anxiolytic strategies in preparing children for day surgery. 3. Using developmentally appropriate toys during the preoperative period. 4. Holistic and quality nursing care in preparing children for surgery 5. Introducing age-appropriate play as an essential component of to diminish the perioperative children’s anxiety.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)58-67
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Rural Development, Environment and Health Research
Volume1
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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