ABSTRACT Aims This study aimed to determine the effects of preoperative stoma education including a wearable dummy stoma on stoma‐related anxiety, adjustment and self‐efficacy in patients undergoing colostomy/ileostomy. Materials and Methods A randomised controlled trial was conducted in Istanbul between 2021 and 2023. The study included 78 patients aged 18 years or older who underwent colostomy/ileostomy for any indication. Patients in the experimental group received structured preoperative stoma education including a wearable dummy stoma designed as an artefact‐based tool to support hands‐on stoma care training, whereas those in the control group received standard care. Data were collected with the Stoma Self‐Efficacy Scale, Ostomy Adjustment Inventory (at discharge and at weeks 3 and 6) and State Anxiety Inventory (during the first stoma encounter). Results Compared with those in the control group, patients in the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower anxiety levels during the first postoperative stoma encounter ( p < 0.001), better stoma adjustment ( p < 0.001 at discharge and at weeks 3 and 6) and greater stoma self‐efficacy levels ( p < 0.001 at discharge and at weeks 3 and 6). Conclusion Preoperative stoma education including a wearable dummy stoma effectively reduced stoma‐related anxiety during the first stoma encounter and improved stoma adjustment and self‐efficacy in patients. Trial Registration NCT05308693.
Akbayrak et al. (Tue,) studied this question.