Audiovisual Interactive Games to Alleviate Pediatric Perioperative Anxiety

Patient Anxiety assessed by Modified Yale Perioperative Anxiety Score (mYPAS)

Pediatric anxiety upon induction of anesthesia is widely prevalent and can lead to negative
 patient psychological impact and hindrance to induction of anesthesia. Historically,
 premedication has been used as one means to improve pediatric preoperative anxiety and
 cooperation with induction. However, giving medication to children prior to surgery has
 drawbacks. Thus, other means have been proposed that may have similar benefits but fewer or
 different drawbacks. Recently, audiovisual distraction in the form of interactive games has
 been proposed. Such games have been in use at children's hospitals around the United States
 for more than five years. This study is a randomized trial that will explore using
 interactive games to improve pediatric perioperative anxiety in elective surgery compared
 with standard-of-care not including games. Perioperative anxiety with be evaluated using an
 observational scale.