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Distraction intervention for preschoolers undergoing intramuscular injections and subcutaneous port access
Lynnda M Dahlquist1, Jennifer Shroff Pendley, Donna S Landthrip
1Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore 21250, USA. dahlquis@umbc.edu
Insights
Distraction interventions using electronic toys significantly reduced distress and anxiety in preschool children during chemotherapy. These positive effects on children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Interventions
Background:
- Repeated chemotherapy injections cause significant distress in preschool children.
- Existing interventions may be time-intensive for parents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a distraction intervention for reducing distress in preschool children during chemotherapy.
- To assess the efficacy of a developmentally appropriate electronic toy intervention.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-nine children (aged 2-5 years) were randomized to either an electronic toy distraction group or a wait-list control group.
- Distress levels were measured behaviorally and through parent/nurse anxiety ratings.
- Intervention effects were assessed over an 8-week period.
Main Results:
- Children receiving the distraction intervention showed lower overt behavioral distress.
- Parents and nurses rated children in the distraction group as less anxious.
- Improvements in distress and anxiety were maintained throughout the 8-week intervention.
Conclusions:
- A multisensory, variable distraction intervention using electronic toys is effective in reducing chemotherapy-related distress in young children.
- This approach offers a potentially cost-effective alternative to parent-training programs.
- Active cognitive and motor engagement appears crucial for intervention success.
Abstract:
This study evaluated a distraction intervention designed to reduce the distress of preschool children undergoing repeated chemotherapy injections. Twenty-nine children aged 2-5 years were randomly assigned either to distraction by a developmentally appropriate electronic toy or to a wait-list control. Children who received the distraction intervention demonstrated lower overt behavioral distress and were rated by parents and nurses as less anxious than children in the control condition. The improvements were maintained over the 8-week intervention. The results suggest that a developmentally appropriate, multisensory, variable-distracting activity that requires active cognitive processing and active motor responses may be a viable cost-effective alternative to more time-intensive parent-training programs for preschool-age children.