App Helps Children Keep Calm Before Surgery

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When children go to the hospital—especially for surgery—anxiety can be great. Well, there may be an app for that!

According to researchers in Italy an app that shows "clown" physicians giving a comical and informative tour of the operating room helped reduce children's preoperative anxiety leading up to elective surgery.

The report in the Journal Kama Pediatrics enrolled 40 children, 20 boys and 20 girls, ages 6-11 years. A simple tool to add to relaxation and take some of the stress away was helpful and had the added benefit of making the family more comfortable.

The major message is that in the case of children it is quite important to make the atmosphere relaxed.