The Impact of Video–based Simulation Training on Preoperative Anxiety and Anesthesia Preferences in Women Scheduled for Cesarean Section Delivery

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the impact of video–based simulation training on preoperative anxiety and anesthesia preferences in women scheduled for cesarean section (C/S) delivery. Design Cross-sectional, pre- and post-test study. Methods After ethical committee approval was obtained, 142 pregnant women aged 18 to 50 from American Society of Anesthesiologists' I and II groups, scheduled for C/S delivery, voluntarily participated. Data on educational level, previous anesthesia experiences, and anesthesia preferences for the current C/S delivery were recorded. Anxiety related to anesthesia was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale. The participants then received video-based training that included simulations of spinal and general anesthesia. After training, anxiety levels were reassessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale, and anesthesia preferences were recorded. Pretraining and post-training anxiety levels and anesthesia preferences were analyzed. Findings Initially, 101 (71.1%) participants preferred general anesthesia, and 41 (28.9%) preferred regional anesthesia. The pretraining anxiety score related to anesthesia was 51.5 ± 14.0. After the simulation training, 112 (78.9%) preferred regional anesthesia, and 30 (21.1%) preferred general anesthesia, showing a statistically significant increase in the preference for regional anesthesia ( P < .05). Neither anesthesia experience nor educational background significantly affected the choice of anesthesia. Conclusions Providing pregnant women who are scheduled for elective C/Ss with preoperative visual information about the anesthesia procedure through simulation can increase their preference for regional anesthesia and reduce their anxiety levels, regardless of their education level and previous anesthesia experience. © 2025 The American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.