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

## TL;DR

Using a wearable dummy stoma during preoperative education helps reduce anxiety and improves adjustment and self-efficacy in patients after surgery.

## Contribution

Introduces a wearable dummy stoma as a novel, hands-on tool for preoperative education in stoma care.

## Key findings

- Patients using the wearable dummy stoma had significantly lower anxiety during their first postoperative stoma encounter.
- The experimental group showed better stoma adjustment and higher self-efficacy at discharge and during follow-ups.
- The wearable dummy stoma supports interactive learning, improving patient engagement and knowledge retention.

## Abstract

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.

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).

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).

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.

NCT05308693.

Preoperative education enhances self‐efficacy, yet postoperative pain and cognitive overload often hinder the acquisition of practical stoma care skills.While digital tools are increasingly utilised, evidence remains limited regarding tangible, artefact‐based materials that address the sensory‐tactile demands of stoma management.

Preoperative education enhances self‐efficacy, yet postoperative pain and cognitive overload often hinder the acquisition of practical stoma care skills.

While digital tools are increasingly utilised, evidence remains limited regarding tangible, artefact‐based materials that address the sensory‐tactile demands of stoma management.

Wearable dummy stoma significantly reduces stoma‐related anxiety during the first postoperative stoma encounter.Patients who received preoperative education via wearable dummy stoma demonstrated better stoma adjustment and higher self‐efficacy at discharge and throughout the 6‐week follow‐up.Wearable dummy stoma provides an interactive, experience‐based learning approach that enhances patient engagement and knowledge retention.

Wearable dummy stoma significantly reduces stoma‐related anxiety during the first postoperative stoma encounter.

Patients who received preoperative education via wearable dummy stoma demonstrated better stoma adjustment and higher self‐efficacy at discharge and throughout the 6‐week follow‐up.

Wearable dummy stoma provides an interactive, experience‐based learning approach that enhances patient engagement and knowledge retention.

The incorporation of wearable dummy stoma into preoperative education enhances psychomotor mastery and patient readiness for postoperative self‐care.Utilising wearable dummy stoma provides a cost‐effective, experiential learning strategy to foster sustained self‐efficacy and facilitate long‐term psychosocial adjustment to a stoma.

The incorporation of wearable dummy stoma into preoperative education enhances psychomotor mastery and patient readiness for postoperative self‐care.

Utilising wearable dummy stoma provides a cost‐effective, experiential learning strategy to foster sustained self‐efficacy and facilitate long‐term psychosocial adjustment to a stoma.