AI-Based Preoperative Education Shows Promise in Reducing Anxiety and Improving Outcomes

Strategic Insights -

Researchers have conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of AI-based preoperative education to traditional physician-led education in reducing anxiety and improving outcomes for patients awaiting urolithiasis surgery. The study involved 75 adult patients who were randomly assigned to receive either AI-based education from ChatGPT or Ernie Bot, or traditional physician-led education. The results showed that anxiety decreased significantly in all groups after the intervention, with the AI-based education groups experiencing a significant reduction in anxiety compared to the traditional physician-led group. The study concluded that further refinement of AI may enhance its role as a supplemental educational tool in preoperative management.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 75 adult patients who were awaiting urolithiasis surgery and were randomly assigned to receive either AI-based education from ChatGPT or Ernie Bot, or traditional physician-led education.
  • The AI-based education groups experienced a significant reduction in anxiety compared to the traditional physician-led group, with anxiety decreasing significantly in all groups after the intervention.
  • The study found that AI-based education was effective in reducing anxiety and improving information quality, with patients receiving AI-based education having a higher satisfaction rate and fewer queries compared to the physician-led group.
  • The study concluded that further refinement of AI may enhance its role as a supplemental educational tool in preoperative management.
  • The research was conducted by Xianjing Wang and colleagues, and the findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine.
  • The study used a prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial design, with participants completing the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 3 h pre-op, and 3 h post-op.
  • The study found that AI-based education was effective in reducing anxiety and improving outcomes, with patients experiencing a significant reduction in pain and improving patient satisfaction.

Statistics:

  • 75 adult patients were involved in the study.
  • Participants were randomly assigned to receive either AI-based education from ChatGPT or Ernie Bot, or traditional physician-led education.
  • Anxiety decreased significantly in all groups after the intervention, with the AI-based education groups experiencing a significant reduction in anxiety compared to the traditional physician-led group.
  • The AI-based education groups had a higher satisfaction rate and fewer queries compared to the physician-led group.
  • Patients receiving AI-based education had a higher evaluation of information quality compared to the physician-led group.
  • Postoperative pain (VAS) was significantly lower in the AI-based education groups compared to the traditional physician-led group.

Sources:

  • Wang, X., Zhang, H., Luo, H., Zeng, W., Hong, X., Feng, J., Lu, G., Su, Y., Tong, W., & Xiao, Y. (2025). Comparison of preoperative education by artificial intelligence versus traditional physicians in perioperative management of urolithiasis surgery: a prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial conducted in China. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, 1543630.
  • NewsRx. (2025, July 22). Data on Artificial Intelligence Reported by Xianjing Wang and Colleagues (Comparison of preoperative education by artificial intelligence versus traditional physicians in perioperative management of urolithiasis surgery: a prospective ...). China Weekly News, p 127.