Research
The development of Xploro has been informed by research and evidence-based practices across many clinical domains. We also support research, quality improvement, and process improvement projects that our customers and partners wish to conduct to document the clinical and operational benefits of Xploro. This section showcases some key academic contributions.
Research describing the benefits of Xploro
The Acceptability and Impact of the Xploro Digital Therapeutic Platform to Inform and Prepare Children for Planned Procedures in a Hospital: Before and After Evaluation Study.
Bray et al, 2020
Children who used Xploro demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in anxiety and statistically significant increases in patient satisfaction and knowledge about procedures, compared to children who received the standard information provision in a study conducted at the UK’s largest children’s hospital.
Acceptability and feasibility of an app to prepare children for a blood test: An exploratory cohort study
Bray et al, 2024
Xploro was reported as being a useful and engaging self-directed child-friendly information app for children having a planned blood test which helped children know what was going to happen and improved their experiences of having a blood test.
Research describing the need for Xploro
The information needs of children having clinical procedures in hospital: Will it hurt? Will I feel scared? What can I do to stay calm?
Bray et al, 2019
Explores what information is important for children to know before undergoing a planned hospital procedure
‘We should have been told what would happen’: Children’s and parents’ procedural knowledge levels and information-seeking behaviours when coming to hospital for a planned procedure
Bray et al, 2021
Reveals a disconnect between how procedural information is currently delivered and the expectation of children and parents that health professionals will directly provide them with this information.
Management of distressing procedures in children and young people: time to adhere to the guidelines
Duff et al, 2012
Discusses how healthcare procedures can be very stressful for children, and describes how this experience can be improved through effective preparation of the child and observance of other practice guidelines.
Preparing children and families for surgery: Mount Sinai's multidisciplinary perspective
Justus et al, 2006
Describes how children experience anger, guilt, fear and sadness when learning they must have surgery, and how they recover more quickly and have fewer emotional problems when they are adequately prepared and supported.
Adolescent cancer: Coping with treatment-related pain
Weekes & Savedra, 1988
Reports on how children with long-term conditions, who require frequent interactions with health care services and professionals to effectively manage their condition, state that clinical procedures and interventions are the worst part of their illness.
Preoperative Anxiety, Postoperative Pain, and Behavioral Recovery in Young Children Undergoing Surgery
Kain et al, 2006
Suggests that preoperative anxiety in young children scheduled for surgery is linked to a more uncomfortable postoperative healing process and an increased likelihood of experiencing sleep disturbances and other issues.
Providing Children With Information About Forthcoming Medical Procedures: A Review and Synthesis
Jaaniste et al, 2007
Offers a summary of fundamental theories that serve as the foundation for delivering information to assist in preparing children for medical procedures.
Relationship between anxiety level and radiological investigation. Comparison among different diagnostic imaging exams in a prospective single-center study
Lo Re et al, 2016
Describes how 91% of patients receiving diagnostic imaging services report high levels of anxiety when undergoing an imaging procedure.
Toward Quantifying the Prevalence, Severity, and Cost Associated With Patient Motion During Clinical MR Examinations
Andre et al, 2015
Documents how patient motion results in sequences needing to be repeated in 20% of MRI procedures, translating to $592 per hour in lost revenue, or approximately $115,000 per scanner per year
Distress in the radiology waiting room
Flory & Lang, 2011
Explains how distress creates a substantial burden through effects such as appointment cancellations, patient non-compliance, longer room occupancy, heightened medication usage, extended recovery times, and difficulties in completing imaging procedures.
Contextualizing an expanded definition of health literacy among adolescents in the health care setting
Massey et al, 2012
Offers an enhanced definition of health literacy, with a focus on the adolescent demographic, in light of current trends emphasizing preventative health care and wellness services.
Early adolescents perceptions of health and health literacy
Brown et al, 2007
Describes how addressing health literacy in the early adolescent population could have a positive impact on the motivation to practice health-enhancing behaviors.
Kath EvansHow we engage and inform children and young people about health deserves much greater attention than it currently receives. We have to work with children and young people to develop these resources. I’m excited by Xploro and look forward to offering ongoing support and to championing the work as it develops.
Experience of Care Lead — Children & Young People, NHS England