The Effect of Video Preparation on Preoperative Anxiety in Surgical Patients Under General Anesthesia

Abstract

General anesthesia for major surgery presents a physically and mentally challenging situation that often causes patient anxiety. Nurse anesthetists play a crucial role in reducing this anxiety through preoperative preparation. This quasi-experimental research aimed to compare anxiety levels before and after preparation, evaluate the effectiveness of video-based preparation versus routine nursing care, and compare patient satisfaction with anesthetic services. The sample consisted of 66 patients undergoing orthognathic surgery (jaw surgery) who exhibited moderate to severe anxiety. Participants were assigned through simple random sampling into a control group (n=33) and an experimental group (n=33). The research instrument was a preoperative and general anesthesia preparation video developed by the researcher (CVI=.84). Data collection tools included the State Anxiety Inventory (Form X-I) and a satisfaction assessment form, which demonstrated reliability with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of .90 and .83, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Fisher’s exact test, Pearson chi-square test, paired t-test, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. The results indicated that prior to preparation, there was no significant difference in anxiety scores between the two groups. However, after the preparation, the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease in anxiety scores, and this reduction was significantly greater than that of the control group. Conversely, there was no significant difference in the anxiety levels of the control group before and after routine preparation. Furthermore, the experimental group reported higher satisfaction with the video-based intervention compared to routine care. In conclusion, video media is effective in reducing preoperative anxiety and enhancing patient satisfaction.