Systematic Review: Audiovisual Interventions for Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Children Undergoing Elective Surgery

Abstract

This systematic review suggests that AV interventions can be effective in reducing children's preoperative anxiety. Videos, multi-faceted programs, and interactive games appear to be most effective, whereas music therapy and Internet programs are less effective. While AV interventions appear potentially useful, adequately powered RCTs are required to conclusively pinpoint the components and mechanisms of the most effective AV interventions and guide practice.

The efficacy of benzodiazepines as acute anxiolytics in children: A meta-analysis

“…While this meta-analysis indicates that benzodiazepines are effective as a short-term anxiolytic in procedural settings, there is evidence in the literature to support the efficacy of behavioral treatments for the reduction of acute anxiety in procedural settings as well[2, 6, 8, 24]. Parental presence and the use of clowns (who are specially trained to perform music and magic in the hospital setting) were demonstrated to be effective in reducing a child’s preoperative anxiety level [5, 8, 15, 40].…”

Intraoperative music application in children and adolescents – a pilot study

“…3,4 Several risk factors for maladaptive behaviour have been identified, such as pre-operative distress and anxiety, separation anxiety, low sociability, child temperament and parent anxiety. 9,10 Further common post-surgery and anaesthetic adverse effects are pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), the occurrence and treatment of which may interfere with other behaviour related risk factors and outcomes. 9,10 Further common post-surgery and anaesthetic adverse effects are pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), the occurrence and treatment of which may interfere with other behaviour related risk factors and outcomes.…”

“…11 For the prophylaxis and therapy of maladaptive behaviour, both pharmacological and complementary non-pharmacological methods, like acupuncture, low sensory stimulation, clowns, videos, video games or music, have increasingly been studied in recent years. 10 Among non-pharmacological methods, music application, whether intraoperatively or perioperatively applied, appears promising because of its feasibility and low cost. 10 Among non-pharmacological methods, music application, whether intraoperatively or perioperatively applied, appears promising because of its feasibility and low cost.…”

Child’s Behavior and its Relationship with the Level of Maternal-Child Anxiety During Dental Care

“…In addition, therapies such as music therapy, aromatherapy and chromotherapy have increasingly been applied for prevention and treatment of childhood anxiety [15][16][17][18]. Children who require specialized behavioral management techniques can be identified by non-verbal activities prior to dental consultation, such as freehand drawing [19].…”

“…Thus, the success of dental care is in the way the pediatric dentistry deals with emotional issues, the degree of knowledge about fear and anxiety, and the interpretation of the child's behavior [15][16][17][18]. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between child's behavior and level of prior maternal and child's anxiety during dental care.…”