What does this research mean for the field?

Active distraction using play dough provides superior anxiolysis and improves oral premedication acceptance compared with passive video distraction and standard care in young children undergoing general anesthesia. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To compare the efficacy of active distraction using play dough, passive distraction using streamed video clips, and standard care in reducing preoperative anxiety and improving acceptance of oral midazolam in pediatric surgical patients.

September 8, 2026Pediatric Anesthesia

Evaluation of Play Distraction and Streamed Video Clips in Alleviating Anxiety Before Oral Premedication Among Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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Authors

GSGunjan SabharwalMaulana Azad Medical College LGLalit GuptaJSS Medical Research (India)KCKapil ChaudharyMaulana Azad Medical College

Discussion

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Implication

Randomized trial demonstrates active play distraction reduces preoperative anxiety and improves medication acceptance in children, highlighting the clinical utility of hands-on engagement.

Key Points

To compare the efficacy of active distraction using play dough, passive distraction using streamed video clips, and standard care in reducing preoperative anxiety and improving acceptance of oral midazolam in pediatric surgical patients.
Randomized controlled trial involving 210 children aged 3–7 years (ASA physical status I–III) undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia, randomized 1:1:1 to play dough, streamed video clips, or standard care (CTRI/2024/05/067549).
Assessed anxiety using the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale at baseline, post-acclimatization, immediately post-intervention, and 20 minutes after oral midazolam administration.
At 20 minutes post-midazolam, anxiety reduction was significantly greater in the play dough group compared with the streamed video clips group (adjusted mean difference -15.4, 95% CI -18.2 to -12.6; p < 0.001), with both groups showing lower anxiety than standard care (p < 0.001).
Oral midazolam acceptance occurred in 98.6% of the play dough group, 78.6% of the video clips group, and 11.4% of the standard care group (p < 0.001), alongside lower parental anxiety and higher parental satisfaction in both distraction groups.

Cite This Study

Sabharwal et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd82f58e84d0ff5b47773 https://doi.org/10.1002/pan.70308

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Implication

Randomized trial demonstrates active play distraction reduces preoperative anxiety and improves medication acceptance in children, highlighting the clinical utility of hands-on engagement.

Evaluation of Play Distraction and Streamed Video Clips in Alleviating Anxiety Before Oral Premedication Among Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Evaluation of Play Distraction and Streamed Video Clips in Alleviating Anxiety Before Oral Premedication Among Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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