Effectiveness of a Family Education Intervention Using an AI-Supported Video in Postoperative Care of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Pilot Pre–Post Study

English (OpenAlex)

Background/Objectives: Cleft lip and palate are among the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies and require careful postoperative care after surgical repair. Mothers, as primary caregivers, are expected to manage feeding, wound care, oral hygiene, and the early recognition of complications; however, gaps in postoperative care knowledge may limit safe home care. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of an artificial intelligence (AI)-supported video-based educational intervention on mothers’ knowledge of postoperative care after cleft lip and/or palate surgery. Methods: This single-group quasi-experimental pre–post pilot study was conducted between April and December 2025 in the Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic of a tertiary hospital in Istanbul. Thirty mothers of children aged 0–18 years who underwent cleft lip and/or palate surgery were included. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form and a Nutrition and Care Knowledge Questionnaire. Mothers completed the questionnaire before and immediately after watching a standardized AI-supported educational video developed by the researchers. Pre- and post-intervention knowledge scores were compared using nonparametric statistical tests. Results: A total of 30 mothers participated in the study. Child-related sociodemographic and clinical variables were recorded to describe the children’s profile. Among the children, 56.7% were female, and 56.7% were aged 0–3 years. Post-intervention knowledge scores increased in the total score and in all subdomains, including postoperative care, feeding, and complication monitoring. The greatest improvement was observed in complication monitoring, which had the lowest baseline scores. Knowledge gains were observed across participant subgroups. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that AI-supported video-based education may improve mothers’ short-term knowledge of postoperative care after cleft lip and/or palate surgery. However, because of the single-group design, small sample size, and immediate post-test assessment, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary. Larger controlled studies with longer follow-up are needed to examine knowledge retention and the potential effects of this approach on caregiving practices.