The effect of watching an informational video prior amniocentesis on maternal anxiety: a randomized controlled trail

• Published in: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 310; no. 2; pp. 1001 - 1008
• Main Authors: Marom, Or, Weiner, Eran, Gindes, Liat, Mor, Liat, Gury, May, Toledano, Ella, Alon, Ayala Shevach, Miremberg, Hadas, Shalev, Josef, Levy, Michal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Amniocentesis; Anxiety; Endocrinology; Gynecology; Human Genetics; Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Obstetrics/Perinatology/Midwifery; Amniocentesis; STAI questionnaire; Anxiety; Video
• ISSN: 1432-0711; 0932-0067; 1432-0711
• DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07288-y

Purpose This randomized controlled trial aimed to ascertain the effect of a pre-procedure informational video on anxiety, pain perception, and satisfaction levels in patients undergoing amniocentesis. Methods Patients were randomized into two groups: a video group who watched an informational video prior to the procedure, and a control group who received standard care. Anxiety was gauged both pre- and post-procedure via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) score. Post-procedure, patients’ perceived pain, anxiety, and satisfaction levels were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale questionnaire (VAS). Results Of 110 randomized patients, 100 completed the study and were included in the final analysis. No significant difference was noted in overall anxiety levels between the study and control groups. However, in-procedure anxiety was significantly lower in the video group compared to the control group ( p  = 0.04). Among patients undergoing amniocentesis for the first time, the subgroup analysis revealed reduced levels of anxiety during the procedure and diminished pain 10 min after the procedure in the video group compared to the control group. ( p  = 0.041 and p  = 0.025, respectively). Conclusion A pre-procedural informational video could help in alleviating anxiety and mitigating pain during amniocentesis. Clinical trial registration: The study was registered at 27.3.2022 in clinical-trials.gov (identifier NCT05463549).