<![CDATA[Family members often experience anxiety during the intraoperative period because of uncertainty regarding surgical progress and the patient’s condition. Real-time perioperative communication technologies, including mobile applications, automated short message service updates, and digital tracking systems, may help reduce anxiety and improve family experiences. This systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of real-time perioperative communication technologies in reducing family anxiety. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, and SAGE Journals using terms related to perioperative communication, surgical tracking, family, caregivers, and anxiety. Eligible studies included randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental, observational, cohort, and cross-sectional studies evaluating digital communication interventions for families of surgical patients. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Owing to heterogeneity in study designs, interventions, populations, and outcome measures, findings were synthesised narratively. Ten studies were included: five randomised controlled trials, one quasi-experimental study, two observational studies, and two cross-sectional studies. Most studies reported that real-time communication through SMS updates, mobile applications, or digital dashboards was associated with lower family anxiety and greater satisfaction than standard communication. However, substantial heterogeneity limited direct comparisons across studies. Real-time perioperative communication technologies appear promising for reducing family anxiety and supporting family-centred perioperative care. Further multicentre studies using standardised interventions and outcome measures are needed.]]>
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