ArticleJMIR perioperative medicine2022
The Impact of a Text Messaging Service (Tonsil-Text-To-Me) on Pediatric Perioperative Tonsillectomy Outcomes: Cohort Study With a Historical Control Group.
Article in JMIR perioperative medicine, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 3 citations in OpenAlex.
- The Utility of a SMS Text Messaging Platform to Support Children and Families After Cardiac Surgery.Pediatric cardiology · 2026Article
- Impact of Nurse-Led Versus Surgeon-Led Preoperative Counseling and Follow-Up on Postoperative Outcomes in Pediatric Tonsillectomy: A Longitudinal Observational Study.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2025Observational
- Development and testing of a remote hybrid SMS/web-based perioperative messenger: A mixed-methods study.Digital healthArticle
- Ninety-Day Emergency Department Rebound Following Adult Tonsillectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-facialeArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundTonsillectomy is a common pediatric surgical procedure performed in North America. Caregivers experience complex challenges in preparing for their child's surgery and coordinating care at home and, consequently, could benefit from access to educational resources. A previous feasibility study of Tonsil-Text-To-Me, an automated SMS text messaging service that sends 15 time-sensitive activity reminders, links to nutrition and hydration tips, pain management strategies, and guidance on monitoring for complications, showed promising results, with high levels of caregiver satisfaction and engagement.
objectiveThis study aimed to pilot-test Tonsil-Text-To-Me in a real-world context to determine whether and how it might improve perioperative experiences and outcomes for caregivers and patients.
methodsCaregivers of children aged 3 to 14 years undergoing tonsillectomy were included. Data from a historical control group and an intervention group with the same study parameters (eg, eligibility criteria and surgery team) were compared. Measures included the Parenting Self-Agency Measure, General Health Questionnaire-12, Parents' Postoperative Pain Measure, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8, and engagement analytics, as well as analgesic consumption, pain, child activity level, and health service use. Data were collected on the day before surgery, 3 days after surgery, and 14 days after surgery. Participants in the intervention group received texts starting 2 weeks before surgery up to the eighth day after surgery. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used.
resultsIn total, 51 caregivers (n=32, 63% control; n=19, 37% intervention) who were predominately women (49/51, 96%), White (48/51, 94%), and employed (42/51, 82%) participated. Intervention group caregivers had a statistically significant positive difference in Parenting Self-Agency Measure scores (P=.001). The mean postoperative pain scores were higher for the control group (mean 10.0, SD 3.1) than for the intervention group (mean 8.5, SD 3.7), both of which were still above the 6/15 threshold for clinically significant pain; however, the difference was not statistically significant (t
conclusionsThis cohort study with a historical control group found that Tonsil-Text-To-Me had a positive impact on caregivers' perioperative care experience. The small sample size and unclear impacts of COVID-19 on the study design should be considered when interpreting the results. Controlled trials with larger sample sizes for evaluating SMS text messaging interventions aimed to support caregivers of children undergoing tonsillectomy surgery are warranted.
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