Impact of preanesthetic information on anxiety of parents and children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Preoperative Anxiety is a negative factor in anesthetic and surgical experience. Among the strategies for reducing children's anxiety, non-pharmacological strategies are as important as the pharmacological ones, but its validity is still controversial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to verify if the information provided to guardians interferes with child anxiety.

METHODS: 72 children, 4-8 years old, ASA I and II, undergoing elective surgical procedures and their guardians were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CG) = guardian received conventional information about anesthesia; informative group (IG) = guardian received an information leaflet about anesthesia. Children's anxiety was assessed using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m-YPAS) on two occasions: at the surgical theater waiting room (WR) and at the operating room (OR). Parents' anxiety was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) at the CT.

RESULTS: There was no difference in demographic data between groups. The level of anxiety in children showed no difference between groups at two measured times. There was statistically significant difference in anxiety levels between WR and OR in both groups, p = 0.0019 for CG and p < 0.0001 for GI, as well as the prevalence of anxiety for CG (38.9% WR and 69.4% OR, p = 0.0174) and GI (19.4% WR and 83.3% OR, p < 0.0001). The anxiety level of guardians did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSION: Regardless of the quality of information provided to the guardians, the level and prevalence of anxiety in children were low at WR time and significantly increased at OR time.