The Effect of Interactive Therapeutic Play Education Program on Anxiety Levels of Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery and Their Mothers

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effect of Interactive Therapeutic Play Education Program applied in preparing pediatric cardiac patients for surgery on the postoperative anxiety levels of such children and their mothers. Design: This was a randomized controlled experimental trial. Methods: The studywas conducted on children aged 6 to 12 years, who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease, and their mothers (N=43). Findings: Anxiety levels of the children and their mothers were similar in the preoperative period, whereas postoperative anxiety levels were lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < .05). Conclusions: As a result of this study it was determined that education provided using therapeutic play to preoperative patients aged 6 to 12 years to undergo surgery reduced the anxiety levels of children and their mothers in the postoperative period.