Revista de Enfermagem e Cuidados

Reduction of Preoperative Anxiety in Children Using Non-Pharmacological Measures

Abstract

Sanchez-Garcia, Maria Carmen, Segura-Flores, Maria Francisca, Leon-Garrido, María Lucia, Rodriguez-Rosado, Ana Maria, Pena-Andreu, Jose Miguel and Fontalba-Navas, Andres

Several studies have shown that anxiety in children prior to surgical interventions has a negative effect on posthospitalization recovery. The objective of the proposed project is to reduce anxiety in children prior to major outpatient surgery using non-pharmacological measures (costumes, games, magic tricks, jokes). These measures are to be used from the moment the children are admitted to hospital (the same morning of the surgery) until anaesthetic induction in the operating room. According to our results, the use of hospital clowns has been proven to reduce psychological discomfort in children in a hospital setting.