Pilot Examination of the Efficacy of the Internet-Delivered, Preoperative, Preparation Program (I-PPP)

Limited evidence-based, interactive, Internet-delivered preoperative preparation programs for children and their parents exist. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the Internet-delivered, preoperative program (I-PPP) in alleviating anxiety in children undergoing outpatient surgery delivered alone (I-PPP) and in conjunction with parental presence (I-PPP + parent) to treatment as usual (TAU). 104 children undergoing day surgery procedures at a local hospital and their parents/guardians participated. Primary outcome measures: (a) observer-rated child anxiety and (b) induction compliance. Results demonstrated an interaction between the I-PPP and TAU groups over time, F(1, 64) = 5.11, p = .027, partial η 2  = .07. At anesthetic induction, the I-PPP group demonstrated lower observer-rated anxiety than TAU, F(1, 64) = 4.72, p = .034, η 2  = .07. I-PPP group demonstrated the best anesthesia induction compliance, F(1, 64) = 4.84, p = .031, η 2  = .07. Our findings demonstrate that the I-PPP is an efficacious preoperative preparation intervention for children. The ‘real-world’ uptake and integration of the I-PPP into pediatric preoperative settings require exploration going forward. Trial retrospectively registered March 2019 (Open Science Registration https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/2x8rg ).