Preoperative dummy stoma education reduced anxiety and improved adjustment in ostomy patients in RCT
A randomized controlled trial conducted in Istanbul between 2021 and 2023 enrolled 78 patients aged 18 years or older who underwent colostomy or ileostomy for any indication. The experimental group received structured preoperative stoma education that included a wearable dummy stoma as an artefact-based tool for hands-on training, while the control group received standard care. Outcomes were assessed at discharge and at weeks 3 and 6.
The intervention group showed significantly lower anxiety levels during the first postoperative stoma encounter compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Stoma adjustment was better in the experimental group at discharge, week 3, and week 6 (p < 0.001 at all time points). Stoma self-efficacy levels were also greater in the experimental group at the same time points (p < 0.001).
No safety, adverse event, or tolerability data were reported. The study did not report a primary outcome, effect sizes, absolute numbers, confidence intervals, or specific limitations. Funding and conflicts of interest were also not reported.
While the RCT design supports causal inference and results were statistically significant, the lack of effect size quantification and safety data limits clinical interpretation. The findings suggest this educational approach may benefit psychological outcomes in this specific population, but more complete reporting is needed to assess its practical utility.