iPads can help pediatric patients stay calm before outpatient surgery, according to a new study posted in Medical Daily. The study was presented at the World Congress of Anesthesiologists in Hong Kong.
There were more than 100 children participating in the study ages four to 10 years old as they prepared for outpatient surgery with general anesthesia. Half of the patients received midazolam, a sedative, and the other half played games on an iPad tablet.
The researchers found:
1. Both groups reported similar anxiety relief levels immediately before surgery.
2. Patients were more satisfied with the anesthesia process when the patients were given iPads before surgery.
3. The nurses personally involved with the procedures reported higher satisfaction levels in the iPad group.
4. The iPads have already shown to help children deal with the stress of separation from their parents before surgery and the study shows similar results when used in place of midazolam.
5. Midazolam has side effects including longer-than-needed drowsiness and it can cause agitation in some patients.