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INTRODUCTION: Preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients negatively impacts their well-being, highlighting the need for effective non-pharmacological interventions. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of a clown therapy intervention before a surgical procedure to decrease preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain in hospitalized pediatric patients and their families. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study took place from October 2023 to November 2024 and included children aged 3 to 12 who were hospitalized in the pediatric inpatient and resuscitation unit of a tertiary care hospital in northern Spain. A total of 204 children participated, divided into two groups. RESULTS: The mean age of children was 6.96 ± 2.72 years, and that of parents was 40.90 ± 5.77 years. Children in the intervention group showed significantly lower preoperative anxiety (mYPAS: 5.57 ± 1.49) compared to controls (6.18 ± 1.92; p = 0.012). Parental anxiety (STAI) was also lower in the intervention group (13.84 ± 7.02) versus the control group (15.63 ± 10.10; p = 0.142). Positive correlations were observed between children's preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), and between parental and child anxiety (r = 0.19, p = 0.007). Thirty days post-discharge, children in the intervention group exhibited fewer maladaptive behaviors at home. CONCLUSION: Clown therapy reduces preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients and may contribute to a more humanized, emotionally supportive hospital environment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Incorporating clown therapy into perioperative care may enhance emotional support, reduce anxiety, and improve the overall surgical experience, highlighting the importance of addressing emotional well-being.
Ruiz-Azcona et al. (Fri,) studied this question.