Effect of focussed audiovisual information on pre-operative anxiety in patients undergoing upper limb surgery with peripheral nerve blocks

ABSTRACT Background: Pre-operative anxiety significantly affects patients undergoing surgery and can influence post-operative outcomes. Audiovisual aids have been demonstrated to reduce patient anxiety; however, knowledge regarding the impact of pre-operative audiovisual information is limited. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of audiovisual presentation on pre-operative anxiety in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries. Materials and Methods: The study involved 122 patients aged between 18 and 65, with ASA scores of I-II, scheduled to undergo upper limb surgeries under peripheral nerve blocks. Baseline anxiety and information desire were assessed using the Amsterdam Pre-operative Anxiety and Information Scale (APSIA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the short audiovisual presentation about the operation and anaesthesia procedure. SPSS version 20 was used for the statistical analysis. Results: Results revealed that the anaesthesia-related anxiety and surgery-related anxiety scores were 4.98 ± 2.43 and 6.46 ± 2.50, respectively. The mean VAS for anxiety score decreased from 56.36 ± 27.05 to 33.20 ± 20.60 after providing anaesthesia information. In addition, the APAIS scores decreased significantly after information was provided ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, substantial reductions in anxiety scores were observed for individuals with lower education levels, including the illiterate, primary, and SSC groups. Patients who had passed SSC (10 th Standard), HSC (12 th Standard), or graduation showed a greater need for information and a greater reduction in information requirements after receiving audiovisual information compared to illiterate or primarily educated patients ( P = 0.001). Conclusions: Providing anaesthesia information using audiovisual aids before surgery reduces patient anxiety, which points out the value of communication strategies in addressing patient anxiety and enhancing their overall surgical experience.