Effect of Drawing Distraction on Children's Preoperative Anxiety: A Clinical Trail

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of drawing on children's anxiety before surgery Isfahan Alzahra Hospital, Iran 2017. Materials and methods: A controlled clinical trial was conducted and all children undergoing surgery were included. Based on the sample size formula, 70 children aged 3 to 7 years old were randomly divided into experimental (n=35) and control groups (n=35). The intervention group did drawing activities in the preoperative area and their anxiety level was measured before and after the activities. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected using modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) and paired t-test and Fisher's exact test were applied for statistical analysis. Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the intervention group and the control group in indicators of anxiety (activity, speaking, expressing emotions, emotions, reliance on parental supports) (P>0.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significantly better results after the intervention (P>0.05). The experimental group were also found with significant improvements in emotional expression and reliance on parental supports (P>0.05), but, other indicators were not significantly different before and after the intervention (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Current study showed that drawing activities could reduce anxiety in children in preoperative area. Therefore, these activities are suggested before performing anesthesia in children.    (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20171118037521N1)