Effectiveness of stress ball and relaxation exercises on polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) test-induced fear and pain in adolescents in Türkiye

The effect of video informing adolescents having Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) test on anxiety during the Coronavirüs (COVID-19) pandemic: A randomized controlled study

AIM

This study aimed to determine if video information on Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) testing reduces anxiety in adolescents.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A randomized controlled experimental study with a parallel-group design was conducted. The sample size was determined by G*Power analysis, and 136 adolescents were included in each group accordingly. The data were collected using the Child/Parent Information Form, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. Chi-square, Independent Sample t-test, and Paired Sample t-test were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

It was determined that adolescents experienced moderate anxiety before the procedure. It was found that the majority of adolescents did not have a COVID-19 positive patient in their relatives (83.1%) or in the same house (82.7%). It was determined that they had COVID-19 positive friends at school (56.2%) but not in class (61.4%) and had no contact with positive friends (69.1%). While the post-operative state anxiety level of the adolescents informed by video was 38.76 ± 10.77, the anxiety level of the adolescents in the control group was 41.68 ± 11.92. Informing with video significantly decreased the anxiety level of adolescents (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Video information reduces state anxiety after the procedure.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

It is recommended that video information before rRT-PCR test should be implemented in all hospitals, tablets, televisions, or phones should be used to provide information against the risk of contamination, and other studies should be conducted to show the effectiveness of video information.