A GameBoy as a Distraction Before Surgery in Children
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2006-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Preoperative anxiety is characterized by subjective feelings of tension, apprehension,
nervousness and worry. In children, preoperative anxiety is reported to result in
postoperative negative psychological effects, including nightmares, separation anxiety,
eating problems and increased fear of doctors. Anxiety in children can be expressed in many
forms. Many children look scared, become agitated, breathe deeply, tremble, and stop talking
or playing and start to cry. They may unexpectedly urinate or may actively attempt to escape
from the medical personnel. These reactions reflect the child's fear of separation from the
parents, as well as loss of control, unfamiliar routines, instruments and hospital procedures
[1].
Previous studies have assessed anxiety in children during the preoperative period and the
effects of premedication and parental presence during induction of anesthesia (PPIA) [2].
Midazolam has been proven to reduce preoperative anxiety in children [3]. Side effects
related to oral midazolam administered to healthy children are minimal and the drug can be
reversed with flumazenil but post operative recovery may be delayed in those children
undergoing a short surgical procedure. It is the experience of the investigator that there
are some children who have such low levels of anxiety they do not require any intervention
Distraction may be particularly helpful in children ages 6-12 as these children may not
receive preoperative medication due to their curiosity about the environment. Previous
studies regarding distraction therapy have focused on the parent either blowing bubbles or
reading to a child [4]. Studies where the child is actively engaged in a distraction activity
have not been documented.
The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether in the presence of a parent an
interactive distraction intervention, i.e. Game Boy which is a hand held video game, is as
effective as preoperative Midazolam in reducing preoperative anxiety. This study may help in
the search for a low cost and easy to implement method of reducing anxiety for children
undergoing surgery.
Phase:
Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey