Do cartoon stickers given after a hemoglobin finger stick influence preschoolers' pain perception?

The purpose of this study was to determine if providing a sticker after a finger stick for hemoglobin check reduced pain perception among preschool-aged children. The hypothesis was: Sticker rewards influence the perception of pain as measured by the Oucher scale following a finger stick to check hemoglobin. Preschoolers from Headstart Centers in a southeastern city were recruited for the study. The age range of participants was between 3 and 5 years. The children were assigned randomly into two groups: those receiving stickers (Group I), and those not receiving a sticker (Group II). Subsequently, each participant's pain level was assessed using the Oucher scale within 1 minute of the finger stick. There was no statistically significant difference in pain scale ratings between the two groups when comparing whether or not a cartoon sticker was given t (-.937, df 128, P = .351; 95% confidence interval). This study was clinically significant in that nonpharmacological interventions were utilized in an attempt to reduce pain in young children. Future research should determine whether receiving rewards (such as a cartoon sticker, adhesive bandages, or small toys) alone or in conjunction with distraction measures are efficacious in pain reduction in younger children.