The Effect of Perioperative Video Interventions on Postoperative Pain Control: A Systematic Review.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- 2Library/ICT, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
- 3Department of Surgical Sciences, Clinical Pain Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- 4Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
Introduction
Postoperative pain is a major cause of suffering and is linked to serious complications, including delayed wound healing, increased cardiovascular risk, delayed rehabilitation, and chronic postsurgical pain. Modifiable psychological factors influence pain outcomes, and preliminary evidence suggests video interventions can reduce preoperative anxiety and improve patient satisfaction. We hypothesized that video interventions could improve postoperative pain control. Therefore, the aim of the current systematic review was to summarize all previous research and investigate the effects of perioperative video interventions on pain levels and/or analgesic consumption.Methods
The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024596389) and followed the PRISMA Guidelines. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Academic Search, and the Cochrane Central register of controlled trials from inception to October 2025 for randomized controlled trials in adult surgical patients. Trials assessing any perioperative video interventions reporting on postoperative pain intensity and/or analgesic consumption were included. Data was extracted independently by two authors, and data synthesis was qualitative due to significant heterogeneity. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2).Results
Forty-four trials were included. Of the 42 trials assessing pain, 11 (26%) reported significantly lower pain in the intervention group. Of the 19 trials measuring analgesic consumption, eight (42%) reported significantly lower consumption in the intervention group. Only two trials demonstrated a benefit for both co-primary outcomes. Significant improvements in secondary outcomes, including anxiety, physical function, and satisfaction, were reported in 26 trials. Most trials were judged as having a high risk of bias.Conclusion
The current systematic review suggests that perioperative video interventions may improve acute postoperative pain control, although effects are inconsistent across trials. Future research should focus on identifying patient and intervention characteristics that predict efficacy to guide clinical implementation.Editorial comment
This trustworthy systematic review presents an overview of current research findings for application of perioperative video-based treatments as part of managing postoperative pain. While this approach shows promise, more definitive evidence may be needed to justify more widespread implementation.
Related
- Perioperative Interventions for Prevention of Prolonged Postoperative Ileus and Gastrointestinal Recovery After Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Perioperative Liposomal Bupivacaine for Postoperative Pain Control in Cranial Neurosurgery: A Systematic Review
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning for prediction of postoperative complications: A systematic review focused on anesthesiology, perioperative risk stratification, and clinical applicability.
- Perioperative Antifibrotic Treatment and Early Postoperative Outcomes in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Undergoing Lung Cancer Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
- Perioperative non-invasive brain stimulation for the prevention of postoperative delirium: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
BibTeX
@article{danielsson2026effect,
title = {{The Effect of Perioperative Video Interventions on Postoperative Pain Control: A Systematic Review.}},
author = {Adam Danielsson and Sana Asif and Alexandra Forsberg and Miklós Lipcsey and Eva Kosek and Martin F Bjurström},
journal = {Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1111/aas.70387},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42967871},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The Effect of Perioperative Video Interventions on Postoperative Pain Control: A Systematic Review.
AU - Adam Danielsson
AU - Sana Asif
AU - Alexandra Forsberg
AU - Miklós Lipcsey
AU - Eva Kosek
AU - Martin F Bjurström
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/01
JO - Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
DO - 10.1111/aas.70387
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42967871
AB - Introduction Postoperative pain is a major cause of suffering and is linked to serious complications, including delayed wound healing, increased cardiovascular risk, delayed rehabilitation, and chronic postsurgical pain. Modifiable psychological factors influence pain outcomes, and preliminary evidence suggests video interventions can reduce preoperative anxiety and improve patient satisfaction. We hypothesized that video interventions could improve postoperative pain control. Therefore, the aim of the current systematic review was to summarize all previous research and investigate the effects of perioperative video interventions on pain levels and/or analgesic consumption.Methods The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024596389) and followed the PRISMA Guidelines. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Academic Search, and the Cochrane Central register of controlled trials from inception to October 2025 for randomized controlled trials in adult surgical patients. Trials assessing any perioperative video interventions reporting on postoperative pain intensity and/or analgesic consumption were included. Data was extracted independently by two authors, and data synthesis was qualitative due to significant heterogeneity. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2).Results Forty-four trials were included. Of the 42 trials assessing pain, 11 (26%) reported significantly lower pain in the intervention group. Of the 19 trials measuring analgesic consumption, eight (42%) reported significantly lower consumption in the intervention group. Only two trials demonstrated a benefit for both co-primary outcomes. Significant improvements in secondary outcomes, including anxiety, physical function, and satisfaction, were reported in 26 trials. Most trials were judged as having a high risk of bias.Conclusion The current systematic review suggests that perioperative video interventions may improve acute postoperative pain control, although effects are inconsistent across trials. Future research should focus on identifying patient and intervention characteristics that predict efficacy to guide clinical implementation.Editorial comment This trustworthy systematic review presents an overview of current research findings for application of perioperative video-based treatments as part of managing postoperative pain. While this approach shows promise, more definitive evidence may be needed to justify more widespread implementation.
SN - 0001-5172
SN - 1399-6576
ER -