Preoperative anxiety is a significant concern for young children undergoing surgery. A recent study investigated an innovative approach to alleviate this anxiety: using a children’s ride-on toy car for transport to the operating room. This method was compared to traditional gurney transport, with and without premedication.
The study, involving 108 children aged 2-5 years with congenital heart disease scheduled for their first surgical correction, randomly assigned participants to one of three groups. Group C was transported in a children’s ride-on car, Group G on a standard hospital gurney without premedication, and Group M on a gurney with oral midazolam premedication (0.5 mg kg-1). Anxiety levels were assessed at multiple points: the day before surgery, upon entering the ride-on car or gurney, upon arrival in the preoperative holding area, at parental separation, upon entering the operating room, and just before anesthesia induction. The researchers used the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale-Short Form and parent-recorded anxiety VAS to evaluate anxiety.
The study concludes that transporting preschool children in a ride-on toy car is a valuable method for reducing preoperative anxiety in children undergoing surgery. This simple, non-pharmacological intervention offers a child-friendly approach that can be as effective as medication in easing anxiety before surgery. This innovative method not only benefits young patients but also provides healthcare professionals with a practical and engaging tool to improve the perioperative experience for children.
This research highlights the potential of incorporating play and child-centered approaches in medical settings to improve patient well-being and reduce anxiety associated with medical procedures. Further studies could explore the broader application of toy car transport in different pediatric surgical settings and patient populations.
Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR-IOR-17012791.
