The effect of play distraction on anxiety before premedication administration: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
The majority of children scheduled to undergo surgery experience substantial anxiety in the preoperative holding area before induction of anesthesia. Pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing perioperative anxiety are paradoxically a source of stress for children themselves. Midazolam is frequently used as premedication, and the formula of this drug in Turkey is bitter. We aimed to assess the role of distraction in the form of playing with play dough (Play-Doh) on reducing premedication anxiety in children.


METHODS
Prospective randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Preoperative holding area.


METHODS
One hundred four healthy children aged 3 to 7 years scheduled to undergo elective surgery were enrolled into the study.


METHODS
All children routinely receive sedative premedication (oral midazolam) before anesthesia. Children were randomized to 2 groups to receive either play dough (group PD) (n=52) or not (group C) (n=52) before administration of oral premedication.


METHODS
Children's premedication anxiety was determined by the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS).


RESULTS
The difference in mYPAS scores between groups at T0(immediately after entering the preoperative holding area) was not significant (P=.876). Compared with group C, group PD was associated with lower mYPAS scores at T1and T2(P<.001). In group PD, mYPAS scores were significantly lower at both T1and T2as compared with the scores at T0(P<.001); they were similar between T1and T2(P>.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that distraction in the form of playing with play dough facilitated administration of oral midazolam in young children.
Ministry of Health Dıskapı Research and Training Hospital Anesthesiology and Reanimation Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
Gözde
G
Bumin Aydın
Ministry of Health Dıskapı Research and Training Hospital, Psychiatry Department.
Serhat
S
Yüksel
Ministry of Health Dıskapı Research and Training Hospital Anesthesiology and Reanimation Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
Jülide
J
Ergil
Ministry of Health Dıskapı Research and Training Hospital Anesthesiology and Reanimation Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
Reyhan
R
Polat
Department of Anesthesiology, Ministry of Health, Ankara Zubeyde Hanim Etlik Maternity and Gynecology Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: fatmakavak@yahoo.com.
Fatma Kavak
FK
Akelma
Ministry of Health Dıskapı Research and Training Hospital Urology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
Musa
M
Ekici
Ministry of Health Dıskapı Research and Training Hospital Anesthesiology and Reanimation Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
Murat
M
Sayın
Ministry of Health Dıskapı Research and Training Hospital Urology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
Öner
Ö
Odabaş
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology*; D011292:Premedication / Q000523:psychology*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008874:Midazolam
Distraction; Pediatric anesthesia; Play dough; Premedication anxiety