QR Code-Based Preoperative Education for Cesarean Birth: Anxiety, Pain, and Comfort

NCT07368387 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2023/1494
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 88
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effect of QR code-based preoperative education on anxiety, postpartum pain, and comfort levels in women undergoing cesarean birth. Cesarean delivery is a common surgical procedure, and insufficient preoperative information may increase anxiety and negatively affect postoperative recovery and comfort. In this randomized controlled study, eligible pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean birth will be assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Women in the intervention group will receive preoperative education delivered through QR code-based digital materials, including information about the cesarean procedure, postoperative pain management, and comfort-enhancing strategies. The control group will receive routine care provided by the hospital. Anxiety levels will be assessed preoperatively, while postpartum pain and comfort levels will be evaluated after delivery using validated measurement tools. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of accessible and effective educational interventions to improve maternal well-being and postoperative outcomes in cesarean birth.

Conditions

Preoperative Anxiety; Postpartum Pain; Maternal Comfort; Cesarean Birth

Keywords

Cesarean Birth; Preoperative Education; QR Code-Based Education; Maternal Anxiety; Postpartum Pain; Maternal Comfort; Digital Health Education; Randomized Controlled Trial; Prenatal Education

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Postpartum Pain Level

  Postpartum pain levels will be evaluated to determine the effect of QR code-based preoperative education on pain experienced after cesarean birth. Pain will be assessed using a validated pain assessment tool.

  Postpartum period following cesarean birth

• Preoperative Anxiety Level

  Preoperative anxiety will be assessed to evaluate the effect of QR code-based preoperative education on anxiety levels in women undergoing elective cesarean birth. Anxiety will be measured using a validated self-report instrument.

  Preoperatively, prior to cesarean birth

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Maternal Comfort Level

  Postpartum period following cesarean birth

Study Arms (2)

QR Code-Based Preoperative Education

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive structured preoperative education delivered through QR code-based digital materials prior to elective cesarean birth. The educational content will include information about the cesarean procedure, perioperative expectations, postoperative pain management, and comfort-enhancing strategies.

Behavioral: QR Code-Based Preoperative Education

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm will receive routine preoperative care and standard information provided by the hospital without access to the QR code-based educational materials.

Interventions

QR Code-Based Preoperative Education BEHAVIORAL

Educational intervention delivered via QR code-based digital materials providing preoperative information on cesarean birth, postoperative pain management, and comfort strategies.

QR Code-Based Preoperative Education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Pregnant women aged 18 years or older
• Scheduled for elective (planned) cesarean birth
• Able to read and understand Turkish and complete study questionnaires
• Able to provide written informed consent
• Has access to a smartphone and is able to use a QR code to view the educational materials (intervention arm)

You may not qualify if:

• Emergency cesarean birth or unplanned change to emergency surgery
• Presence of high-risk pregnancy or serious obstetric/medical complications requiring intensive management (e.g., severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, major hemorrhage risk, unstable systemic disease)
• Known psychiatric disorder or current use of medications that may substantially affect anxiety assessment (as judged by the clinical team)
• Communication barriers that prevent participation (e.g., severe visual/hearing impairment, cognitive impairment) or inability to complete questionnaires
• No smartphone access or inability/unwillingness to use QR code materials (for intervention delivery)
• Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent at any time

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Karabuk University: lead

Related Publications (3)

• Togac HK, Yilmaz E. Effects of preoperative individualized audiovisual education on anxiety and comfort in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: randomised controlled study. Patient Educ Couns. 2021 Mar;104(3):603-610. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.08.026. Epub 2020 Aug 28.

  PMID: 32933794 BACKGROUND

• Mostafayi M, Imani B, Zandi S, Jongi F. The effect of familiarization with preoperative care on anxiety and vital signs in the patient's cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial. Eur J Midwifery. 2021 Jun 25;5:21. doi: 10.18332/ejm/137366. eCollection 2021.

  PMID: 34222839 BACKGROUND

• Abuzaid M, Alshahrani MS, Ahmed AM, Moafa MN, Alomar O, O'Mahony A, Abu-Zaid A. Effectiveness of preoperative multimedia educational sessions on the levels of anxiety and satisfaction among women undergoing cesarean: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Women Health. 2024 May-Jun;64(5):416-426. doi: 10.1080/03630242.2024.2349560. Epub 2024 May 5.

  PMID: 38706246 BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Reyhan Aydin Dogan, Associate Professor

CONTACT

+905422666568; reyhanaydin@karabuk.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: an intervention group receiving QR code-based preoperative education and a control group receiving routine preoperative care. Each participant will be exposed to only one study condition throughout the trial.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 18, 2026
• First Posted: January 26, 2026
• Study Start: February 2, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 20, 2026
• Last Updated: January 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share