Interactive media as a tool for reducing waiting anxiety at paediatric rehabilitation hospitals: a randomized controlled trial

摘要

Aim To investigate the efficacy of waiting room media for reducing anxiety and increasing satisfaction at a paediatric rehabilitation hospital. Method In this clustered, parallel, randomized controlled trial, 310 young people with disabilities (age range 5–19y) and their parents attending outpatient clinics were assigned to interactive media ( n =113), a silent nature video ( n =97), or media‐free comparison ( n =100) groups. Young person and parent anxiety was reported using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory ( STAI ) on arrival and after 10 minutes in the waiting space. Questionnaires measured young person, parent, and staff satisfaction. Results Young people exposed to interactive media reported a postexposure state anxiety that was 1.1 raw points (2.7 standardized points) lower on the STAI than the comparison group (95% confidence interval [ CI ] ?1.9 to ?0.22). There was no difference in postexposure state anxiety between the passive media and comparison groups (95% CI ?0.64 to 1.1). Parents’ state anxiety did not differ between conditions, but interactive media were associated with greater satisfaction ( p =0.009). Of 120 staff, 119 reported that interactive media improved the clinic experience for families. Interpretation Interactive media designed for accessible, hands‐free play mitigate waiting anxiety and increases satisfaction. This paper provides evidence to guide design and decision‐making around the use of interactive media in health care spaces. What this paper adds Interactive media reduced preclinic waiting anxiety for young people with disabilities. Interactive media were accessible to young people with a range of mobility. Interactive media increased parental and staff satisfaction in the clinic. Guidelines for the design of hands‐free, inclusive interactive media for health care facilities are presented.