The Effect of Preoperative Stoma Education Including a Wearable Dummy Stoma on Postoperative Stoma-Related Anxiety, Adjustment and Self-Efficacy: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to determine the effects of preoperative stoma education including a wearable dummy stoma on stoma-related anxiety, adjustment and self-efficacy in patients undergoing colostomy/ileostomy.

Materials and methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted in Istanbul between 2021 and 2023. The study included 78 patients aged 18 years or older who underwent colostomy/ileostomy for any indication. Patients in the experimental group received structured preoperative stoma education including a wearable dummy stoma designed as an artefact-based tool to support hands-on stoma care training, whereas those in the control group received standard care. Data were collected with the Stoma Self-Efficacy Scale, Ostomy Adjustment Inventory (at discharge and at weeks 3 and 6) and State Anxiety Inventory (during the first stoma encounter).

Results: Compared with those in the control group, patients in the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower anxiety levels during the first postoperative stoma encounter (p < 0.001), better stoma adjustment (p < 0.001 at discharge and at weeks 3 and 6) and greater stoma self-efficacy levels (p < 0.001 at discharge and at weeks 3 and 6).

Conclusion: Preoperative stoma education including a wearable dummy stoma effectively reduced stoma-related anxiety during the first stoma encounter and improved stoma adjustment and self-efficacy in patients.

Trial registration: NCT05308693.

Keywords: anxiety; nursing; patient education; stoma care; stoma self‐efficacy.