Dental Anxiety, Preoperative Anxiety
Conditions
Keywords
Digital Storytelling, Animation, Preoperative Anxiety, Dental Anxiety, Pediatric Dentistry, General Anesthesia, Children
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effect of a digital storytelling-based animation on preoperative anxiety and physiological parameters in children aged 5-12 years undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia. Participants are randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which watches a digital storytelling-based animation before the procedure, or a control group receiving standard preoperative care. Anxiety is assessed using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-Faces (MCDAS-F) and Facial Image Scale (FIS). Physiological parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, are also evaluated. The study aims to determine whether the animation-based intervention reduces preoperative anxiety and physiological stress responses in children.
Detailed description
This study is a randomized controlled trial conducted with children aged 5-12 years scheduled to undergo dental treatment under general anesthesia. The study investigates whether a digital storytelling-based animation presented during the preoperative period can reduce children's anxiety and physiological stress responses. Participants are randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. Children in the intervention group watch a digital storytelling-based animation before the procedure, whereas children in the control group receive standard preoperative care without the animation intervention. Children's anxiety is evaluated using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-Faces (MCDAS-F) and the Facial Image Scale (FIS) before and after the intervention. Physiological parameters, including heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, are assessed at predefined time points during the perioperative period. The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of the digital storytelling-based animation on preoperative anxiety. The secondary objective is to evaluate its effect on physiological parameters associated with the stress response.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDigital Storytelling-Based Animation
Children in the experimental group watched a digital storytelling-based animation during the preoperative period before intravenous access. The animation was designed to familiarize children with the perioperative process in an age-appropriate and engaging manner and to reduce preoperative anxiety.
Sponsors
Recep Tayyip Erdogan University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The outcome assessor was blinded to group allocation and was not informed whether the participants were assigned to the intervention or control group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
5 Years to 12 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Children aged 5-12 years. Children scheduled to undergo dental treatment under general anesthesia. Children whose parent or legal guardian provided written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Children with a previous experience of general anesthesia. Children with chronic diseases. Children with cognitive, developmental, or communication impairments that could prevent understanding the digital animation or completing the anxiety assessments. Children whose parent or legal guardian did not provide informed consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Preoperative Anxiety Measured by the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-Faces (MCDAS-F) | Immediately before and immediately after the intervention on the day of surgery | Children's preoperative anxiety was assessed using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-Faces (MCDAS-F). The scale consists of 8 items, each scored from 1 to 5, resulting in a total score ranging from 8 to 40. Higher scores indicate greater dental anxiety. MCDAS-F scores were assessed before and after the digital storytelling-based animation intervention in the experimental group and at corresponding time points in the control group. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Preoperative Anxiety Measured by the Facial Image Scale (FIS) | Immediately before and immediately after the intervention on the day of surgery | Children's preoperative anxiety was assessed using the Facial Image Scale (FIS). The FIS consists of five faces ranging from very happy to very unhappy and is scored from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety. FIS scores were assessed before and after the intervention in the experimental group and at corresponding time points in the control group. |
| Change in Heart Rate | Before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, before general anesthesia induction, and 2 hours postoperatively | Heart rate was measured in beats per minute (bpm) at four predefined time points to evaluate physiological responses associated with preoperative anxiety and the intervention. |
| Change in Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) | Before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, before general anesthesia induction, and 2 hours postoperatively | Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) was measured using pulse oximetry and recorded as a percentage (%) at four predefined time points to evaluate physiological responses associated with preoperative anxiety and the intervention. |
| Change in Respiratory Rate | Before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, before general anesthesia induction, and 2 hours postoperatively | Respiratory rate was measured as the number of breaths per minute at four predefined time points to evaluate physiological responses associated with preoperative anxiety and the intervention. |
| Change in Blood Pressure | Before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, before general anesthesia induction, and 2 hours postoperatively | Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) at four predefined time points to evaluate physiological responses associated with preoperative anxiety and the intervention. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORSerpil Boran, PhD
Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Faculty of Dentistry
Outcome results
None listed