Reducing distress in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Medical Psychology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Cardiac catheterization is a common pediatric procedure associated with significant acute distress.
• Non-pharmacological interventions are sought to improve patient experience and procedural outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of auditory tapes as an adjunct for reducing acute distress in pediatric patients during cardiac catheterization.
• To identify age-related differences in the effectiveness of auditory tape intervention.

Main Methods:

• Data collection involved observations by medical staff and subjective patient reports.
• Auditory tapes were utilized as a supportive tool during the cardiac catheterization procedure.
• Patient age was a key variable in analyzing the intervention's impact.

Main Results:

• Medical staff and patient experiences indicated auditory tapes were beneficial in managing distress.
• Auditory tapes served as a useful adjunct for improving tolerance of the medical procedure.
• Age-specific differences in the benefits of auditory tapes were observed.

Conclusions:

• Auditory tapes can be a valuable non-pharmacological tool for mitigating distress in pediatric cardiac catheterization.
• The greatest benefits were observed in the youngest (<1 year) and older pediatric (7-12 years) age groups.
• Auditory interventions show promise for enhancing pediatric procedural care and patient well-being.