Improving the discomfort and satisfaction of colonoscopy by distraction with smartphones: A prospective randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is an uncomfortable procedure. Distraction is thought to reduce pain by decreasing the amount of attention a person spends on a painful stimulus. We aimed to assess the usefulness of smartphones on discomfort associated with the colonoscopy. METHODS: We designated 360 enrolled patients according to prospective randomized controlled study into two groups, including smartphone (SP) group (Relaxation by smartphones) and Control group (No relaxation). Measured outcomes included the discomfort, satisfaction, polyp detection rate and the willingness to repeat colonoscopy were analyzed between groups. RESULTS: The pain and distension scores of SP group patients were significantly lower than those of the Control group (2.18 ± 2.80 vs 3.55 ± 3.07, P < .001; 4.15 ± 2.35 vs 4.79 ± 2.36, P = .011, respectively). Importantly, patient-reported satisfaction scores of the SP group were significantly higher than those of the Control group (96.45 ± 7.17 vs 91.12 ± 10.49, respectively; P < .001). Moreover, although there were no statistical differences, patients using smartphones were more likely to have shorter reach cecum times (09m:11 s vs 07m:37 s, P = .116) and more polyp detection rate (13.3% vs 9.4%, P = .246). In addition, more patients using smartphones were willing to repeat colonoscopy but no statistical difference (85.0% vs 81.7%, P = .396). CONCLUSION: Patient using smartphone is a special manner to increase satisfaction during colonoscopy with a less discomfort and is more likely to be polyp detection rate.