Do parents of adolescent patients undergoing fixed appliance treatment recall more information using written material or an animated video? A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: This “2-arm parallel” trial investigated the recall of information pertinent to obtaining informed consent of parents of orthodontic patients using; either written material and verbal support or an animation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parents of patients, aged 12–18 years, about to undergo fixed applaince treatment, were randomized to either receive information by leaflet or by watching an animation. The parents were asked a series of open-ended questions immediately and one year later. The outcome measure was the total median questionnaire score immediately (T(0)) and one year later (T(1)). A Mann Whitney U test was performed to test for differences between T(0) and T(1). RESULTS: 31 parents were randomized into the leaflet group and 33 in to the animation group. The median leaflet group score was 81 (IQR = 27) at the time of consent (T(0)) and 87 (IQR = 29) a year later (T(1)), compared to a median score of 76 (IQR = 23) for the animation group at T(0) and 87 (IQR = 32) at T(1.) Statistically, there was no difference in the questionnaire score at (T(0)) (p = 0.567) and at (T(1)) (p = 0.522). The average time spent with the clinician in the leaflet group was an additional 9 min in the animation group. CONCLUSION: The use of a leaflet and verbal information or an animation are equivalent in providing information to the parents of orthodontic patients. The use of an animation reduces the clinical time needed to deliver the information.