Fear Level in Preschoolers Undergoing Computed Tomography: Affect of Psychological Preparation by Story vs. Normal Preparation

ABSTRACT

Background:  Computed tomography (CT scan) is a common radiological practice; however, among pre-school-age children, it can be a fearful experience, so much so that non-cooperation of children may result in failure to get any useable results.  Psychological preparation can be used to reduce the level of fear in children.Objective:  To compare the level of apprehension among preschoolers undergoing CT scan, given psychological preparation vs. the normal clinical explanation.Design:  Quasi-experimental researchSetting:  Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, ThailandPopulation and Samples  Data were collected on the responses of 60 children between four to six years of age undergoing CT for the first time.  Two groups (normal and experimental) were formed by a simple random, age matching method.Intervention  Psychological preparation included being read a story called ‘C.T. the Magic Camera and the Kid’ created by our research team.Measurements  Data were collected on the fear responses of the children undergoing CT and analyzed by t test.Results:  Subjects in the psychologically-prepared group exhibited significantly (p \< 0.05) less apprehension than those in the control group.Conclusions:  The findings suggest some psychological preparation is needed before children undergo CT scan or any other invasive procedure (such as spinal puncture or intravenous fluid administration).