Journal Article

Effectiveness of a Group Game Intervention in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety Levels of Children and Parents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Güray, Özlem, Aral, Seda, Ünver, Seher

2020

Overview

Surgical experiences are often stressful for children and their parents. This study aimed to determine the effect of a group game intervention on the preoperative anxiety levels of 94 parent-child dyads who were awaiting elective minor surgery at a pediatric surgery clinic. The experimental group intervention included routine preoperative preparation and a group (ie, child, parent, and researcher) game. After the parent dressed the child for surgery, a research team member assessed the child's and parent's anxiety levels using the Facial Affective Scale and Visual Facial Anxiety Scale, respectively. Before the child was transferred to the OR, the research team member reassessed both anxiety levels. When compared to the control group, the results showed that children and parents involved in facilitated group play experienced significantly decreased anxiety levels (P < .001).

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subject: Anxiety / Anxiety - prevention & control / Anxiety - psychology / Anxiety - therapy / Child / Children & youth / Clinical trials / Facial Affective Scale (FAS) / Families & family life / Female / Humans / Intervention / Male / Medical research / Medical/Surgical / Parent-Child Relations / parental anxiety / Parents & parenting / Parents - education / Parents - psychology / Patient education / Pediatrics / Play therapy / preoperative anxiety / Preoperative Care - methods / Preoperative Care - standards / Surgery / therapeutic play / Visual Facial Anxiety Scale (VFAS)