The objective of this study is to examine the effects of pre surgery dog visits as compared to a costumed character or parents-only on the consumption of pain medication after surgery. It is hypothesized that pre surgery dog visits will reduce post surgical stress and anxiety.
Recent research has revealed that children who are highly anxious prior to surgery experienced more problems post surgery. These problems included reporting of more pain and requested more pain medication during hospitalization and home follow up. Consumption of pain medication may not be the optimal pain management program. In contrast, numerous human-animal interaction studies have shown that animals tend to have a calming effect on people, reduce stress, and lesson anxiety. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to examine the effect of pre surgery dog visits as compared to a costumed character or parents-only on the consumption of pain medication after surgery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Oklahoma State University Surgi-Center
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Bieri Faces Scale upon arrival, after intervention, and at discharge
Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale upon arrival, after intervention, and in surgical preparation room
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