The first clinical study was done in a gastroendoscopic clinic. Ninety-nine patients were randomly assigned to one of three preparation groups. One group heard the sensory information and saw photographs of patients at different stages of the examination. The specific sensations included the following: the prick of the needle followed by drowsiness, change in lighting, throat swabbing, the feel of the doctor’s fingers in the mouth, the introduction of a flexible tube the thickness of a pencil, swallowing, holding the bit piece in the mouth, and fullness in the stomach.

Research Design:

The second group heard information and saw photographs of the clinical area, treatment room, and equipment. A step-by-step explanation of the procedure. A control group received the routine preparation.

Measurement and Data Collection:

Indicators of distress – the amounts of sedative required; heart-rate changes, tension in the hands and arms, gagging during tube passage; and restlessness during the first 15 minutes of the procedure.

Results:

Patients who hear the sensory description display less distress during the examination than patients who received the procedural message or the routine clinic preparation. The sensory information patients were described more at ease, able to cooperate with turning, swallowing, required less muscle relaxant, and time for the procedure. The very first clinical study of sensation information was so beneficial to the patients that the clinic immediately adopted it.

Johnson's Theory: "Discrepancy between expected and experienced physical sensations (what is felt seen, heard, tasted, and smelled) during a threatening experience will result in distress."

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