A prospective trial comparing the effect of preoperative information given verbally with the use of an explanatory animated video before outpatient hysteroscopy on patients’ anxiety and pain

Background: Hysteroscopy without anaesthesia is a routine gynaecological procedure but is commonly associated with patient anxiety and pain. Objectives: To compare preoperative information provision using usual verbal interaction with the use of an animated video on patients' anxiety and pain associated with outpatient hysteroscopy. Methods: Patients were allocated to receive verbal explanations immediately prior to the outpatient hysteroscopy or via an informative short, animated video. Main Outcome Measures: Proportion of patients with moderate-high preoperativee anxiety levels as assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included maximal intraoperative pain levels recorded on a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) completed directly after the procedure. Results: =0.04], although their VAS pain scores were not significantly different. The logistic regression analysis confirmed that a low level of anxiety was associated with education by an animated video (odds ratio: 2.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-7.6). Conclusions: Preoperative education by an animated video prior to hysteroscopy is associated with lower rates of moderate/high anxiety levels compared to the standard verbal education preparation. What is New?: Animated videos are an effective and easy-to-implement tool that may reduce anxiety before office hysteroscopy.