The impact of Audiovisual information in providing preoperative anaesthesia information on parental anxiety: A multicentre, randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the effects of supplementing written and verbal information with audiovisual preoperative information explaining anaesthesia procedures on parental anxiety and satisfaction before elective paediatric surgeries. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial involved 316 parents visiting an anaesthesia department for their children's preoperative evaluation between March 2019 and November 2022. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI I-II) and a questionnaire were administered pre-briefing. Parents were divided into a control group (written and verbal information only) and a visual group (additional audiovisual information). On surgery day, parents completed the STAI-I and a satisfaction survey. RESULTS: Post-briefing, total STAI-I scores remained stable in the visual group (before: 40.6 ± 10.7 vs. after: 40.6 ± 10.1, p = 0.978) but increased significantly in the control group (before: 39.4 ± 10.1 vs. after: 41.8 ± 9.9, p < 0.001). After the briefing, a positive correlation was observed between the STAI scores of mothers and their children (r = 0.444, p = 0.001). On the day of surgery, the visual group reported significantly higher rates of optimism regarding anaesthesia (72.6% vs. 52.8%, p < 0.001) and greater satisfaction with the information provided (70.1% vs. 49.4%, p < 0.001) compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of audiovisual information to the verbal and written briefing prevented an increase in parents' STAI-I scores after the briefing, thereby maintaining stable anxiety levels. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Integrating multimedia-based educational resources into routine preoperative nursing practice may enhance the quality and consistency of information delivery, improve parental preparedness for surgery, and support family-centred perioperative care.