Perioperative anxiety in children and the use of psychological intervention

Objective To observe the effect of two different methods with psychological intervention in children of different age. Methods 60 children were selected and divided into three groups according to the age: group I with age of 1~3, group II with age of 3~7 and group III with age of 7~12. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups according to the intervention method: P group (parental present during induction of anesthesia) and V group (visit the operation room). The anxiety level was tested by mYPAS(modified Yale preoperative anxiety scale) at 4 time points: the day before operation, walking into the operating room, induction and the day after operation.The cooperative level during the induction was tested by ICC (induction compliance checklist). Results Children of 1~3 years old in P group showed lower anxiety level and better cooperation than those in V group when walking into the operating room and during the inducton. Children of 3~7 years old in V group showed lower anxiety level and better cooperation than those in P group when walking into the operating room and during the inducton. Children of 7~12 years old in both P and V groups were in low anxiety and good cooperation. Conclusions In order to get better effects, we should use different psychological intervention for children of different age.