Objective To evaluate the effect of visual and audiovisual distraction on anxiety and acceptance levels among patients undergoing colonoscopy. Methods A total of 180 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomly divided into three groups: group A received visual distraction; group B received audiovisual distraction; and group C received routine care alone. Levels of anxiety and willingness to accept the same intervention if the procedure needed to be repeated were compared among the three groups. Results The reduction of anxiety score after colonoscopy in group A and group B was greater than that in group C, but the difference was not statistically significant. The rate of willingness to accept the same intervention if the procedure needed to be repeated was significantly different among the three groups: the rates for group A and group B were higher than for group C (Plt;0.05). Conclusions Both visual distraction and audiovisual distraction can significantly improve patients’ acceptance of colonoscopy. Visual distraction and audiovisual distraction have no significant effect on reducing anxiety.