Endoscopy 2004; 36(3): 197-201
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-814247
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Can Visual Distraction Decrease the Dose of Patient-Controlled Sedation Required During Colonoscopy? A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

D.  W.  H.  Lee1 , A.  C.  W.  Chan1 , S.  K.  H.  Wong1 , T.  M.  K.  Fung1 , A.  C.  N.  Li1 , S.  K.  C.  Chan2 , L.  M.  Mui1 , E.  K.  W.  Ng1 , S.  C. S.  Chung1
  • 1 Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
  • 2 Department of Anesthesiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 27 June 2003

Accepted after Revision 5 August 2003

Publication Date:
26 February 2004 (online)

Background and Study Aims: We previously demonstrated that audio distraction using relaxation music could lead to a decrease in the dose of sedative medication required and improve patient satisfaction during colonoscopy. This prospective randomized controlled trial was designed to test the hypotheses that visual distraction may also decrease the requirement for sedatives and that audio and visual distraction may have additive beneficial effects when used in combination.
Patients and Methods: 165 consecutive patients who underwent elective colonoscopy were randomly allocated into three groups to receive different modes of sedation: group 1 received visual distraction and patient-controlled sedation (PCS); group 2 received audiovisual distraction and PCS; group 3 received PCS alone. A mixture of propofol and alfentanil, delivered by a Graseby 3300 PCA pump, was used for PCS in these groups. Each bolus of PCS delivered 4.8 mg propofol and 12 µg alfentanil. Measured outcomes included the dose of PCS used, complications, recovery time, pain score, satisfaction score, and willingness to use the same mode of sedation if the procedure were to be repeated.

Results: Eight patients were excluded after randomization. The mean±SD dose of propofol used in group 2 (0.81 mg/kg ± 0.49) was significantly less than the dose used in group 1 (1.17 mg/kg ± 0.81) and that used in group 3 (1.18 mg/kg ± 0.60) (P < 0.01, one-way analysis of variance). The mean ± SD pain score was also lower in group 2 (5.1 ± 2.5), compared with the pain scores in group 1 (6.2 ± 2.2) and group 3 (7.0 ± 2.4) (P < 0.01, one-way analysis of variance). The mean ± SD satisfaction score was higher in groups 1 (8.2 ± 2.4)) and 2 (8.4 ± 2.4), compared with the score in group 3 (6.1 ± 2.9) (P < 0.01, one-way analysis of variance). A majority of patients in groups 1 (73 %) and 2 (85 %) said that they would be willing to use the same mode of sedation again, compared with only 53 % in group 3 (P < 0.01, chi-squared test).
Conclusions: Visual distraction alone did not decrease the dose of sedative medication required for colonoscopy. When audio distraction was added, both the dose of sedative medication required and the pain score decreased significantly. Both visual and audiovisual distraction might improve patients’ acceptance of colonoscopy.

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S. C. S. Chung,M. D. 

Division of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery · The Chinese University of Hong Kong · Prince of Wales Hospital

Shatin, NT · Hong Kong SAR · China

Fax: + 852-2637-7974 ·

Email: sydneychung@cuhk.edu.hk

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