ANKMJ
Ankyra Medical Journal

Ankyra Medical Journal (AnkMJ), formerly known as the Journal of Translational and Practical Medicine, regularly publishes international quality issues in the field of Medicine in the light of current information.

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Original Article
The effects of visual information leaflets on perioperative anxiety in pediatric patients
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of a visual information leaflet designed in our clinic on perioperative anxiety in pediatric patients scheduled for general anesthesia, as well as on anxiety levels of their caregivers.
Methods: One hundred pediatric patients American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk classification I–II, aged 4 to 12 years, were randomly divided into two groups. During the preoperative visit, the control group (n = 47) received only the standard written information form routinely used in our clinic, whereas the study group (Visual group; n = 53) received an additional visual information leaflet alongside the standard written form. Anxiety and pain levels of the children were assessed using validated scales before and after surgery. Negative behaviors in children were also evaluated during the postoperative period. In addition, anxiety levels of patient attendants were assessed using appropriate scales.
Results: Preoperative anxiety levels in children and the incidence of negative behaviors in the postoperative period were significantly lower in the Visual group. However, in both groups, preoperative anxiety levels and the incidence of delirium increased as the age of the children decreased. Preoperative concerns of patient attendants were significantly reduced in the Visual group, and these concerns were also lower in the postoperative period. Furthermore, baseline anxiety levels, both preoperatively and postoperatively, were lower among attendants who received the visual information leaflet. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups with respect to postoperative pain scores.
Conclusion: The use of a visual information leaflet describing the anesthesia procedure with pictures, in addition to the standard written information form, appears to reduce anxiety and concerns related to anesthesia in both pediatric patients and their attendants. This approach may also reduce postoperative complications and negative behavioral outcomes in children.

Keywords : Visual information leaflet, pediatric anesthesia, premedication

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Article available in :
Volume 5, Issue 2, 2026
Page : 33-39
https://doi.org/10.51271/ANKMJ-0063
Article Information
Received : 07 Ara 2025
Accepted : 06 Oca 2026
Published : 25 Mar 2026
Corresponding Author :

Gülçin Aydın: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Güzel ZB, Polat E, Aydın G, Gençay I, Büyükkoçak Ü. The effects of visual information leaflets on perioperative anxiety in pediatric patients. Ank Med J. 2026;5(2):33-39. doi:10.51271/ANKMJ-0063

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