The Impact of Video Education on Pain and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Transrectal Ultrasonography-Guided Prostate Biopsy

Prostate cancer is among the most common malignancies diagnosed globally and constitutes the second highest cause of cancer-related mortality in males. Timely identification is crucial for enhancing clinical results, directing suitable therapy alternatives, and ultimately elevating survival rates. Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) is the definitive diagnostic method for acquiring tissue samples from suspected prostate lesions. This method is preferred because of its comparatively low expense, extensive accessibility, and significant diagnostic efficacy.

Although categorized as a minimally invasive technique, TRUS-Bx can induce significant psychological anguish in patients. Pre-procedural anxiety is prevalent and can stem from various factors: dread of discomfort related with the biopsy, concern regarding a possible cancer diagnosis, and lack of familiarity or misunderstanding about the biopsy procedure. This worry is not solely an emotional concern; it can negatively impact physiological metrics such as blood pressure and heart rate, heighten the perceived discomfort during the surgery, and diminish patient compliance. Furthermore, elevated anxiety levels are associated with diminished patient satisfaction and can adversely affect patients' readiness to pursue essential medical procedures in the future, potentially resulting in long-term health repercussions.

Reducing preoperative anxiety is essential for patient-centered treatment in procedural medicine. Effective educational interventions have demonstrated the capacity to alleviate anxiety by improving patient comprehension and establishing reasonable expectations. Conventional approaches encompass oral elucidations by healthcare professionals and printed pamphlets, whose efficacy fluctuates owing to disparities in literacy, attention, and retention among patients. Visual aids, particularly educational movies, provide a multimodal learning experience by integrating aural narrative with dynamic visuals, which may enhance understanding and engagement.

Prior studies on diverse medical procedures, including colonoscopy, endoscopy, and small surgical interventions, have shown that video-based teaching can markedly boost patients' understanding, alleviate anxiety, and improve overall satisfaction with the care experience. Nonetheless, despite the prevalent application of TRUS-Bx, there is a scarcity of data investigating the particular influence of video education in this domain. Moreover, it is uncertain whether dynamic video content (e.g., animated or actual procedural footage) provides benefits over static visuals or verbal information alone in mitigating anxiety and perceived pain associated with prostate biopsy.

Moreover, due to the growing accessibility of internet video platforms such as YouTube, individuals frequently pursue information autonomously before undergoing medical operations. Although this can empower patients, the quality and accuracy of such content fluctuate significantly, potentially affecting their psychological condition in unforeseen manners.

Research Aim

This study seeks to systematically assess the impact of pre-procedural video education regarding TRUS-Bx on patients' anxiety and subjective pain levels. The researchers aim to compare the impact of dynamic, detailed videos-akin to those found on popular platforms such as YouTube-with static image displays or traditional spoken therapy. The fundamental premise posits that exposure to extensive, dynamic video information before biopsy will adequately prepare patients by clarifying the technique, therefore alleviating psychological discomfort and enhancing their overall experience.

This study aims to clarify the function of video-based instructional aids in the clinical environment, intending to guide best practices for patient education and aid in the formulation of standardized procedures to enhance patient-centered outcomes in prostate cancer diagnosis.

Inclusion criteria

• Men between 50 and 80 years of age
• Elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and/or suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE) findings
• Literacy and comprehension

Exclusion criteria

• A history of previous prostate biopsy
• Cognitive or psychiatric disorders
• Using anxiolytic medications
• After being informed, declining to participate in the study