The effects of a videotape preparation package in reducing children's arousal and increasing cooperation during cardiac catheterization

Recent research has demonstrated the effectiveness of filmed modeling in preparing children for hospitalization and surgery. The purpose of the present investigation was to investigate the effectiveness of filmed modeling in preparing children for cardiac catheterization, a procedure which differs in several respects from previously examined situations. Twenty-four children received the preparation routinely provided to such patients either alone, in combination with an attention placebo control or in combination with the filmed modeling preparation. Group differences were not obtained for type of preparation; however, several demographic and self-report measures were found to be predictive of behavior and ratings while hospitalized and during the catheterization itself. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.