Sensory stimuli and anxiety in children undergoing surgery: a randomized, controlled trial.

UNLABELLED: We assessed the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention aimed at reducing the anxiety of children undergoing anesthesia and surgery. The intervention consisted of dimmed operating room (OR) lights (200 Lx) and soft background music (Bach's "Air on a G String," 50-60 dB). Only one person, the attending anesthesiologist, interacted with the child during the induction of anesthesia. Children undergoing anesthesia and surgery were randomly assigned either to a low sensory stimulation group (LSSG, n = 33) or to control group (n = 37). By using validated behavioral measures of anxiety (mYPAS) and compliance (ICC), children were evaluated at the preoperative holding area and during the induction of anesthesia. On postoperative Days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14, the behavioral recovery of the children was assessed by using the Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire. We found that the LSSG was significantly less anxious compared with the control group on entrance to the OR (P = 0.03) and on the introduction of the anesthesia mask (P = 0.003). Also, the compliance during the induction of anesthesia was significantly better in children assigned to the LSSG (P = 0.02). The incidence of postoperative behavioral changes, however, did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = ns). We conclude that children who are exposed to low-level sensory stimuli during the induction of anesthesia and who are exposed to background music exhibit lower levels of anxiety and increased compliance. IMPLICATIONS: Children are less anxious and show increased compliance during induction when exposed to a single care-provider in a dimmed, quiet operating room with background music.

Midazolam: effects on amnesia and anxiety in children.

BACKGROUND: The minimum time interval between administration of oral midazolam and separation of children from their parents that ensures good anterograde amnesia has not been previously determined. This is of particular importance in a busy operating room setting where schedule delays secondary to midazolam administration may not be tolerated. METHODS: Children (n = 113) undergoing general anesthesia and surgery completed preoperative baseline memory testing using a validated series of picture cards and were randomly assigned to one of three midazolam groups or a control group. Exactly, 5, 10, or 20 min after receiving oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) or 15 min after receiving placebo, children were administered a second memory test that used pictures. Anxiety of children was assessed during induction of anesthesia with use of a validated anxiety measurement tool. Postoperatively, recall and recognition for picture cards seen during baseline testing and postintervention testing were assessed. RESULTS: Postoperatively, recall and recognition of pictures presented to patients after drug administration (anterograde amnesia) showed significant group differences (P = 0.0001), with recall impaired in the 10- (P = 0.004) and 20-min groups (P = 0.0001). Similarly, recognition memory was impaired in the 5- (P = 0.0008), 10- (P = 0.0001) and 20-min (P = 0.0001) groups. Significant anxiolytic effects of midazolam were observed as early as 15 +/- 4 min after midazolam administration (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Midazolam administered orally produces significant anterograde amnesia when given as early as 10 min before a surgical procedure.

Parental presence and a sedative premedicant for children undergoing surgery: a hierarchical study.

BACKGROUND: Although some anesthesiologists use oral sedatives or parental presence during induction of anesthesia (PPIA) to treat preoperative anxiety in children, others may use these interventions simultaneously (e.g., sedatives and PPIA). The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether this approach has advantages over treating children with sedatives alone. METHODS: The child's and the parental anxiety throughout the perioperative period was the primary endpoint of the study. Parental satisfaction was the secondary endpoint. Subjects (n = 103) were assigned randomly to one of two groups: a sedative group (0.5 mg/kg oral midazolam) or a sedative and PPIA group. Using standardized measures of anxiety and satisfaction, the effects of the interventions on the children and parents were assessed. Statistical analysis (varimax rotation) of the satisfaction questionnaire items resulted in two factors that described satisfaction of the separation process and satisfaction of the overall care provided. RESULTS: Anxiety in the holding area, at entrance to the operating room, and at introduction of the anesthesia mask did not differ significantly between the two groups (F[2,192] = 1.26, P = 0.28). Parental anxiety after separation, however, was significantly lower in the sedative and PPIA group (F[2,93] = 4.46, P = 0.037). Parental satisfaction with the overall care provided (-0.28 +/- 1.2 vs. 0.43 +/- 0.26, P = 0.046) and with the separation process (-0.30 +/- 1.2 vs. 0.47 +/- 0.20, P = 0.03) was significantly higher among the sedative and PPIA group compared with the sedative group. CONCLUSIONS: PPIA in addition to 0.5 mg/kg oral midazolam has no additive effects in terms of reducing a child's anxiety. Parents who accompanied their children to the operating room, however, were less anxious and more satisfied.