The Effects of Designing an Educational Animation Movie in Virtual Reality on Preoperative Fear and Postoperative Pain in Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of watching an educational animated movie on fear and pain in children aged 6 to 12 years old. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. METHODS: In this study, the CONSORT checklist was used as a guide. The sample of participants (n = 132) was allocated to the Educational Animation Group (n = 44), Documentary Group (n = 44), and Control Group (n = 44) using block randomization. During the data collection, an information form, the Children's Fear Scale and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale were used. FINDINGS: Preoperative fear and postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the Educational Animation group than in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The educational animated movie was found to be an effective method in reducing preoperative fear and postoperative pain. Educational animated movies, which were effective in reducing the fear and pain of the child in the preparatory operations, increased the educational effectiveness and cooperation of the child.