The Effect of Watching a Comedy Video Before Surgery on Anxiety Levels: A Randomized Controlled Study

OpenAlex İngilizce

Objective: The research aimed to assess how viewing comedy videos impacts the anxiety levels of patients undergoing hospitalization in surgical clinics. Methods:The research employed a randomized controlled pretest-posttest design, conducted in the surgical ward of a private hospital in İstanbul, Türkiye, spanning from October 2022 to February 2023.Ninety-two patients participated, with 46 allocated to the intervention group and 46 to the control group.Patients in the intervention group watched a comedy video, while those in the control group received no intervention.Data were gathered utilizing the "Descriptive Information Form" and the "State-trait Anxiety Inventory".Results were presented following the CONSORT statement guidelines.Results: No notable distinction was detected in the trait anxiety level between the intervention and control groups.However, a significant decrease in the state anxiety levels among patients in the intervention group was observed post-video viewing (p<0.05).Furthermore, the state anxiety level of patients in the intervention group (41.50±2.62)was significantly lower compared to those in the control group (50.28±3.29)(p<0.05).Conclusion: It was found that watching comedy videos during the preoperative period was an effective method of reducing the anxiety level.In line with this finding, it is recommended to identify the anxiety levels of patients undergoing surgery in the preoperative period and to reduce anxiety levels by watching a comedy video.