Wahid, Shahla AbdulJohncy, SwapnaAbbas, SadafLee, Mikyoung2023-03-082023-03-082022This is the published version of an article that is available at https://doi.org/10.30958/ajhms.9-1-4. Recommended citation: Abdul Wahid, S., Johncy, S., Abbas, S., & Lee, M. (2022). The effects of distraction on preoperative anxiety in preschool and school-age children: A literature review. Athens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences, 9(1), 49–70. This item has been deposited in accordance with publisher copyright and licensing terms and with the author’s permission.https://hdl.handle.net/11274/14629https://doi.org/10.30958/ajhms.9-1-4Article originally published by Athens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences, 9(1), 49–70. Published online 2022. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajhms.9-1-4Children experience high levels of anxiety before surgery. Preoperative anxiety interferes with anesthesia induction compliance and is associated with many short and long-term postoperative complications The aim of this integrative review was to evaluate the impact of distraction methods on preoperative anxiety in preschool and school-age children compared to standard of care or conventional methods. A systematic search of literature was conducted using PubMed and CINHAL databases. We found 15 full-text articles in English published, between the years 2015-2019 on preschool and school-age children on PubMed, CINHAL, and keyword search according to inclusion criteria. The tools used to measure the children’s anxiety included a personal information from, separation scoring, index of clinical stress score, modified Yale preoperative assessment scale, the state-trait anxiety inventory for children, post hospitalization behavior questionnaire, Hamilton anxiety rating scale, and vital signs. Medical clowns, integrated art therapy, therapeutic play, “Play-doh”, computer games, books, and music, video games, toys, music, books, virtual reality, smartphone, relaxation-guided imagery, and iPads were used for creating distraction to reduce anxiety levels during parental separation and the preoperative period. Distraction is a safe, timely, and cost-effective non-pharmacological anxiolytic intervention that can be performed by nurses.en-USDistractionTherapyArtAnxietyPlaySurgeryArticleCC BY-NC 4.0