Patient-information videos can reduce preoperative anxiety

Investigators assessed the effects of a patient-information video on anxiety levels before cataract surgery.

Study design

This prospective controlled trial included 200 patients undergoing their first elective cataract surgery. Half the cohort watched an informational video about cataract surgery on the day of their surgery, while the other half underwent surgery without watching the video.

Anxiety scores were measured in both groups using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Score, as well as a Visual Analogue Scale indicating how anxious the patient felt before surgery.

Outcomes

Compared with controls, researchers noted a strong, statistically significant decrease in anxiety levels for the video group (11.2 vs. 45.5; P<0.001). Response to the question "I am worried about the surgery" was significantly lower in the intervention group, which had an average score of 1 (on a scale of 1–5) compared with a score of 3 in the control group. On average, female patients were more anxious than males (P<0.001).

Limitations

This study was not randomized—investigators assigned the first 100 consecutive patients to the control group and the following 100 consecutive patients to the intervention group. The link to the video that was used in the study is not currently active.

Clinical significance

A patient-information video on the day of surgery is an inexpensive and effective way to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Such videos can improve the overall experience of patients undergoing this common procedure.