Emotional Changes in Children Undergoing Cochlear Implantation through Evaluation of Their Drawings

Abdi, S.; Jalili, B.; Tavakoli, H.; Naderpour, M.

Emotional Changes in Children Undergoing Cochlear Implantation through Evaluation of Their Drawings

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

S. Abdi ¹

B. Jalili ²

H. Tavakoli ³

M. Naderpour ⁴

¹ Cochlear Implantation Clinic, Hearing Research Center, Amir Aalam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sci-ences, Tehran, Iran.

² Iran University of Medical Sciences, Esmaili Child Psychiatry Center, Tehran, Iran.

³ Departmant of General Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

⁴ Department of ENT, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Background: The emotional changes of patients undergoing cochlear implantation (CI) has been addressed in a few studies. To date, no special test has been developed to measure these changes. Objective: To measure the emotional status of children undergoing CI by interpreting their drawings. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study on prelingually deafened children from 4-14 years of age undergoing CI and sex and age-matched non-CI candidate deaf children comprised the study population. Drawings were produced before implantation and after 1, 3, 6, and 12-month intervals. These were scored with regard to a questionnaire developed inAmirAalamHospitalHearingResearchCenter,Tehran,Iran. Results: The prevalence of drawings with cues of rage/anxiety decreased from 35% to 21.9%. Similarly, sadness prevalence dropped from 36.8% to 20% and the prevalence of immaturity was reduced from 20% to 7.1%. Conclusion: We recommend drawing to be included in the rehabilitation program of children undergoing CI and used as a practical measure of their emotional progress.