Audio and visual distraction to reduce anxiety in flexible sigmoidoscopy patients

1. Audio and visual distraction to reduce anxiety in flexible sigmoidoscopy patients Susanna Kola1, Jane Walsh1, Tom O’Gorman2, & John Lee2 Colorectal cancer and flexible sigmoidoscopy Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of cancer in Ireland, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. It is one of the few internal cancers that, if caught early, are preventable. Preclinical lesions that may lead to CRC can be detected through screening. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is one form of screening, and it involves the visual examination of the inside of the rectum and sigmoid colon, using a ligthed, flexible tube connected to an eyepiece or video screen for viewing. • Measures • Before • State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger et al., 1983) • Miller Behavioral Style Scale (MBSS; Miller, 1987) • Pain and discomfort expectancy prior to procedure • Fear of Pain – III (FPQ; McNeil & Rainwater, 1998) • Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) • Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Crowne & Marlowe, 1964) • Heart rate and blood pressure (before, during and after) • During • Behavioural measures during • Depth of scope insertion • Lenght of time of procedure • After • McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ; Melzack, 1975) • Patient satisfaction • Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire (Rosenstiel & Keefe, 1983) IntroductionPatients about to undergo an invasive medical procedure often experience anxiety prior to the event. In addition, patients undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy typically do so without sedation, although patients often report significant discomfort with the procedure (Eloubeidi et al., 2003). Use diagrams to illustrate your results. 28pt regular Objectives The aim of the study is to conduct a randomised controlled trial to reduce procedural anxiety, discomfort and pain in patients undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy. By providing patients with an audiovisual distraction intervention, it is expected that procedural anxiety, discomfort and pain will be reduced, consequently leading to better patient outcomes. • Method • Patients will be randomly assigned to one of four conditions: • Audiovisual distraction – wear virtual i-glasses with built in headphones throughout • Audio only distraction – provided by headphones and walkman • Sensory focus – pay attention to sensations while watching video of real-time procedure • Standard care (control) For additional information about this study, or if you wish to comment, please contact Susie Kola, Department of Psychology, National University Ireland, Galway. Email: S.Kola1@nuigalway.ie • Department of Psychology, National University of ireland, Galway • Department of Endoscopy, University College Hospital, Galway