Effects of Written and Visual Briefing on Parents' State and Trait Anxiety in Newborns with Pes Equinovarus (PEV) Treated by Ponseti Method: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of written and visual briefing on parents' state and trait anxiety in newborns with newly diagnosed pes equinovarus (PEV) who were treated using the Ponseti method during the neonatal period. Materials and Methods: Eighty parents (mother and/or father) of neonatal PEV patients who were treated using Ponseti Method between September 2014 and July 2017were included in this study. Participants were assigned into two groups according to the written and visual briefing. Participants in both groups were asked to complete the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before the procedure. Then, written and visual briefing was given to the participants. All participants repeated the inventory after briefing to assess changes in state and trait anxiety. Results: After visual and written briefing, parents' response was evaluated. In both groups, a significant decline was observed in trait and state anxiety after both written and visual briefing (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was detected between groups regarding the effects of written and visual briefing on state anxiety. Conclusion: The provision of detailed written and visual information about the risk of complications of the illness and treatment method increased the parents' knowledge but did not increase their levels of anxiety.

Keywords

• pes equinovarus
• trait anxiety
• state anxiety.