Effect of an Active Distraction Method for Pediatric Venipuncture-Related Pain and Anxiety

Objective: Children can experience less pain and anxiety by being informed and distracted. Our goal was to assess the effectiveness of providing information and using an active distraction technique to treat pediatric venipuncture-related pain and anxiety in children.
Materials and Methods: One hundred forty-two children between the ages of 3 and 8 years were randomized into three groups: the informed, the informed and distracted, and the control. In the informed group, information was provided to the parents and children in written and verbal forms; in the informed and distracted group, information was also provided to the parents and children while allowing the children to play a puzzle game on the tablet; and in the control group, the routine injection procedure was performed. Parents and an independent observer completed two separate forms to rate the pain and terror of the children.
Results: According to the parents/caregivers, fear and pain experience were found to be significantly lower in the informed and distracted group (p=0.001 for pain; p=0.005 for fear) than in the control and the informed groups. Moreover, according to the independent observer, fear and pain experience were similarly found to be significantly lower in the informed and distracted group (p=0.002 for pain; p<0.001 for fear) than in the other two groups. According to the independent observer, the anxiety of the parents was significantly found to be lower in the informed and distracted group (p=0.007) than in the other two groups.
Conclusion: Children and their families experience stress as a result of painful procedures. It may be possible to lessen the pain and anxiety that children experience during invasive operations by informing, preparing, and distracting them.