The impact of video-animated information on anxiety, satisfaction, and pain perception in patients undergoing ESWL: a randomized controlled study

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a widely used non-invasive treatment for kidney stones, but it can cause significant patient anxiety due to procedural unfamiliarity and discomfort. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of video-animated information on anxiety levels, procedural satisfaction, willingness to undergo ESWL again, and perceived pain during the procedure. A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 patients scheduled for ESWL. Patients were randomized into two groups: the video group (n = 40) received video-animated information in addition to standard verbal and written information, while the non-video group (n = 40) received only standard information. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and pain perception, satisfaction, and willingness to repeat the procedure were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The video group showed a significant reduction in situational anxiety (STAI-S scores: 40.1 ± 3.7 to 35.3 ± 2.7, p < 0.001) compared to the non-video group (39.7 ± 4.2 to 38.5 ± 4.5, p = 0.106). The video group also reported higher satisfaction scores (8.8 ± 1.3 vs. 7.2 ± 2.0, p < 0.01) and greater willingness to repeat the procedure (5.6 ± 2.0 vs. 3.6 ± 1.9, p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed in VAS pain scores between the groups (4.9 ± 1.3 vs. 5.4 ± 1.6, p = 0.298). Video-animated information significantly reduces situational anxiety and improves patient satisfaction and willingness to undergo ESWL again, without significantly affecting perceived pain levels. These findings support the use of multimedia tools in patient education to enhance the ESWL experience.