The effect of an interactive robot on children's post-operative anxiety, mobilization, and parents' satisfaction; randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of an interactive robot on Turkish children's post-operative anxiety, mobilization, and parents' satisfaction related to post-operative care. METHOD: A randomized controlled study was conducted with 84 children who will undergo day surgery aged 5-10 years and their parents at a university hospital between June 2020-April 2022. The interactive robot was provided to accompany the children during the postoperative mobilization. Children in the control group received standard care during mobilization. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Children's State Anxiety (CSA), Parental Satisfaction Scale-Visual Analog Scale, and Mobilization Chart. RESULTS: It was determined that the CSA score of the children in the control group were higher than the intervention group before their first mobilization after surgery (p = 0.005). During the first (p = 0.042) and second (p = 0.012) mobilization, it was determined that the mobilization duration of children in the intervention group was longer than the children in the control group. It was found that the parents of the children in the intervention group had a high level of satisfaction. CONCLUSION: It has been determined that interactive robots positively affect postoperative mobilization in children undergoing day surgery, reduce the anxiety level of children before mobilization, and increase the duration of mobilization. In addition, the use of interactive robots increased parents' satisfaction with post-operative mobilization care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Using interactive robots to reduce the stress and anxiety of children during the perioperative process can be a promising approach to improve their recovery by providing early mobilization.

Effectiveness of a Group Game Intervention in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety Levels of Children and Parents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Surgical experiences are often stressful for children and their parents. This study aimed to determine the effect of a group game intervention on the preoperative anxiety levels of 94 parent-child dyads who were awaiting elective minor surgery at a pediatric surgery clinic. The experimental group intervention included routine preoperative preparation and a group (ie, child, parent, and researcher) game. After the parent dressed the child for surgery, a research team member assessed the child's and parent's anxiety levels using the Facial Affective Scale and Visual Facial Anxiety Scale, respectively. Before the child was transferred to the OR, the research team member reassessed both anxiety levels. When compared to the control group, the results showed that children and parents involved in facilitated group play experienced significantly decreased anxiety levels (P < .001).

Effect of Gum Chewing on Pain and Anxiety in Turkish Children During Intravenous Cannulation: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PURPOSE: Although gum chewing is a simple intervention that can be used for the management of pain and anxiety in the nursing care of children, few studies have assessed this intervention. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gum chewing on pain and anxiety during intravenous (IV) cannulation in children. DESIGN AND METHODS: This randomized controlled study assessed 73 children aged 6 to 12 years in the general paediatric unit in a university hospital in the Trachy Region, Turkey from April to September 2017. In the experimental group, children chewed gum during the procedure. The standard care was applied to the control group. Data were collected via the Children's Anxiety Pain Scale and the Data Collection Form. RESULTS: According to the children's self-report and the nurse's report, the pain level of the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group. Although no significant difference was noted between experimental and control groups' anxiety levels, nurses stated higher anxiety levels than children. CONCLUSIONS: The IV cannulation procedure causes pain and anxiety in children. Nurses reported the perception of a higher level of anxiety during the procedure than the children actually experienced. Gum chewing might reduce pain during IV cannulation. Nurses should consider using gum chewing as a simple nursing implementation to increase the effects of other pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques for management of children's procedural pain. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses who work with the children could use gum chewing as a simple, inexpensive, and pleasurable intervention for the management of pain.