Effects of Nursing Care Based on Comfort Theory on Anxiety Levels and Recovery Results in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Strabismus Surgery - Report - MDSpire
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Effects of Nursing Care Based on Comfort Theory on Anxiety Levels and Recovery Results in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Strabismus Surgery
Comfort Theory Nursing Reduces Anxiety and Enhances Recovery in Pediatric Strabismus Surgery
Overview
A prospective study of 184 children undergoing strabismus surgery demonstrated that Comfort Theory–guided nursing care significantly lowered perioperative anxiety and physiological stress, reduced postoperative pain, and improved behavioral recovery compared with routine care. The intervention also accelerated regaining consciousness, oral intake, and shortened hospital stays.
Background
Strabismus surgery in children is often accompanied by high levels of anxiety and postoperative distress, which can negatively impact recovery. Conventional nursing care may insufficiently address the multifaceted psychological and environmental needs of pediatric patients. Comfort Theory, a holistic nursing framework, emphasizes relief, ease, and transcendence across physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental domains to promote healing. Applying this theory to perioperative nursing may better support emotional well-being and functional recovery in pediatric ophthalmic surgery.
Data Highlights
Measure
Comfort Theory Group (Mean ± SD)
Routine Care Group (Mean ± SD)
p-value
Pre-induction Anxiety (m-YPAS)
44.1 ± 8.9
61.5 ± 9.7
<0.001
Post-op Day 1 Anxiety (m-YPAS)
40.6 ± 7.5
53.4 ± 8.2
<0.001
Heart Rate (bpm) pre-induction
100.2 ± 8.8
108.5 ± 9.2
<0.001
Mean Arterial Pressure (mmHg) pre-induction
83.1 ± 6.7
88.4 ± 7.1
<0.001
Postoperative Pain (FLACC scale)
Significantly lower at all time points
Higher scores
<0.001
Behavioral Recovery (PHBQ)
7.4 ± 3.1
10.2 ± 3.7
<0.001
Time to Regain Consciousness (min)
19.6 ± 3.8
22.4 ± 4.1
<0.001
Time to Resume Oral Intake (hours)
4.9 ± 1.0
5.8 ± 1.2
<0.001
Length of Hospital Stay (days)
3.4 ± 0.7
3.9 ± 0.8
<0.001
Key Findings
Comfort Theory–guided nursing significantly reduced preoperative and postoperative anxiety scores compared to routine care.
Physiological stress markers such as heart rate and mean arterial pressure were lower before anesthesia induction in the intervention group.
Postoperative pain was consistently lower in children receiving comfort-based nursing interventions.
Behavioral recovery, assessed by PHBQ, was improved with fewer maladaptive behaviors post-hospitalization.
Children in the Comfort Theory group regained consciousness and resumed oral intake faster than controls.
Hospital length of stay was significantly shorter in the intervention group, indicating enhanced overall recovery.
Clinical Implications
Implementing Comfort Theory–guided nursing care in pediatric strabismus surgery can effectively alleviate anxiety and physiological stress, leading to better pain control and behavioral outcomes. This holistic approach supports faster functional recovery and may reduce hospital resource utilization. Nurses should consider integrating individualized psychological preparation, environmental modifications, and parental involvement into perioperative protocols to optimize pediatric surgical care.
Conclusion
Comfort Theory–based nursing care offers a practical, holistic framework that improves emotional and functional recovery in children undergoing strabismus surgery. These findings support broader adoption of comfort-oriented interventions to enhance pediatric perioperative outcomes.
References
Kolcaba K, 2003 -- Comfort Theory in Nursing
Study Authors, 2024 -- Effects of Nursing Care Based on Comfort Theory on Anxiety Levels and Recovery Results in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Strabismus Surgery
