Use of videotape in the preparation of children for cardiac catheterization.

To help children with congenital heart disease, and their parents, cope with the stress of hospitalization for cardiac catheterization, a videotape was developed entitled "Leonard Z. Lion Presents ... Learning About Your Heart Catheterization." Fifty-three patients with congenital heart disease, 3 to 12 years of age, were randomly assigned to experimental (N = 31) or control (N = 22) groups. Each viewed the catheterization videotape or an unrelated control videotape before cardiac catheterization. The child's knowledge, anxiety, and adjustment during and after hospitalization for catheterization were evaluated. The experimental group displayed a significantly greater knowledge of events and sensations experienced during hospitalization than controls (P less than .0001). Children in the experimental group tended to sleep more during the catheterization procedure (P = .05) and when awake to ask more questions (P = .02). After discharge, the experimental group also tended to demonstrate more independent behavior. We conclude that viewing this videotape on heart catheterization helped children with congenital heart disease to cope with the stress of hospitalization for the procedure.