Preoperative VR Cartoon Viewing Reduces Postoperative Pain and Anxiety in Pediatric Tonsillectomy Patient

Izmir Tinaztepe University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Adenoidectomy; Tonsillectomy

Treatments: Other: Virtual Reality Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06763276

İzmirTınaztepeÜ-B.Dizer-001

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of watching a cartoon with a virtual reality headset before surgery on the pain and anxiety levels of children aged 7-12 years.

Full description

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of watching a cartoon with a virtual reality headset before surgery on the pain and anxiety levels of children aged 7-12 years. In line with this aim, children aged 7-12 who were scheduled for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department of Uşak University Education and Research Hospital were shown a cartoon with a virtual reality headset before surgery, and their pain and anxiety levels were examined. The study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Unit of Uşak University Education and Research Hospital. The population of the study consisted of children aged 7-12 who applied for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Unit of Uşak University Education and Research Hospital. The sample of the study included a total of 102 children, with 51 in the experimental group and 51 in the control group, who met the research criteria and volunteered to participate in the study between November 10, 2023, and June 1, 2024. Data collection tools included the informed consent form, sociodemographic questionnaire, vital signs assessment form, Visual Analog Scale, and the Perioperative Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for children.

Enrollment: 102 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 7 to 12 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Child's criteria:

• Children aged between 7 and 12 years
• Ability to understand pain and anxiety scales
• Possession of communication skills
• Absence of mental issues
• Absence of physical illnesses
• Absence of chronic illnesses
• Willingness of the child and family to participate in the study
• No visual, hearing, or speech problems

Exclusion criteria

• Children younger than 7 years or older than 12 years
• Presence of any chronic illness that could affect pain and anxiety levels
• Presence of psychosocial issues
• Children or parents who meet the inclusion criteria but do not wish to wear the virtual reality headset (VRH) glasses
• Children who need to wear glasses other than the virtual reality headset (VRH)
• Children with hearing problems
• Children who do not wish to watch the shrek cartoon

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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102 participants in 2 patient groups

Virtual Reality Group

Experimental group

Description:

A meeting was conducted with the children and their parents. Information about the content of the research was provided. Consent forms were completed by the children and their parents. Instructions on how to use the virtual reality headset were given to the children and their parents. Mothers were asked to comfort and caress their children during the preoperative period. The first 15-20 minutes of the cartoon were shown to the children before the surgery. After watching the cartoon, the children were sent for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery. The remainder of the cartoon was shown one hour after the surgery once the child had settled in the recovery room. Before the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery, immediately after the child returned to the ward post-surgery, and 8 hours after the surgery: The child's vital signs were recorded. The child's anxiety and pain scores were assessed.

Treatment:

Other: Virtual Reality Group

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Consent forms were completed by the children and their parents. Mothers were asked to comfort and caress their children. Before the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery, immediately after the child returned to the ward post-surgery, and 8 hours after the surgery: The child's vital signs were recorded. The child's anxiety and pain scores were assessed. The children in the control group were allowed to watch the cartoon via virtual reality (VR) after all data for the research had been collected to ensure ethical equality.