Preoperative Preparation Programs in Children: a Comparative Examination

A influência da atividade lúdica sobre a ansiedade da criança durante o período pré-operatório no centro cirúrgico ambulatorial

“…The researchers found out that children had lower anxiety while they remained in the waiting room when the third program was used. 18 Once again, interaction seems to be a factor responsible for reducing anxiety in children during the waiting period.…”

“…3,8,10,14,18 The first models of specific programs for children that would undergo surgery in the hospital were developed in the 1970s. 4 In these models, children were offered an overview of the anesthesia and surgery by means of videos or puppet theater.…”

“…Later, in the 1980s, the literature showed that it was not enough for the child to watch, she/he also had to interact during the preoperative period so that the reduction of these anxious feelings was more effective, which is in agreement with the results presented. 18 Kain et al conducted a study comparing three preoperative preparation programs: during the first one, children would visit the surgery room and were offered information; in the second program, children visited the surgery room and watched a video; and in the third program, children visited the surgery room, watched a video, and interacted with puppets by playing doctors. The researchers found out that children had lower anxiety while they remained in the waiting room when the third program was used.…”

Ansiedade, a criança e os pais

“…Além disso, crianças com mais de 6 anos de idade apresentavam-se mais ansiosas se a preparação ocorria na véspera do procedimento cirúrgico, enquanto aquelas em que a preparação ocorria há mais de 5 dias antes da cirurgia, a ansiedade era menor 41 . Baseado neste estudo, Kain e col. 42 dividiram crianças em grupos: crianças com 2 a 4 anos receberam preparação 1 a 2 dias antes da cirurgia e crianças com idades entre 5 e 12 anos, 5 a 10 dias antes da cirurgia. Os autores notaram uma significativa redução da ansiedade na criança, no grupo onde o programa de preparação foi mais variado.…”

“…Based on this study, Kain et al 42 have divided children in groups: children aged 2 to 4 years were prepared 1 to 2 days before surgery and children aged 5 to 12 years were prepared 10 days before surgery. Authors have observed a significant decrease in anxiety in the group were the preparation program was more varied.…”