Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Irrelevant Stimuli and Action Control: Analyzing the Influence of Ignored Stimuli via the Distractor-Response Binding Paradigm
12:12

Irrelevant Stimuli and Action Control: Analyzing the Influence of Ignored Stimuli via the Distractor-Response Binding Paradigm

Published on: May 14, 2014

Impact of Parent-Provided Distraction on Child Responses to an IV Insertion

Ann Marie McCarthy1, Charmaine Kleiber, Kirsten Hanrahan

  • 1College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

Children'S Health Care : Journal of the Association for the Care of Children'S Health
|September 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Parental distraction significantly reduces children's distress during IV insertions. Higher quality and frequency of distraction correlate with lower behavioral, parent-reported, and cortisol stress responses in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric healthcare
  • Psychological interventions
  • Pain management

Background:

  • Intravenous (IV) insertion is a common but stressful procedure for children.
  • Effective strategies are needed to mitigate procedural distress.
  • Parental involvement is a potential avenue for distress reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of parent-provided distraction on children's responses during IV insertion.
  • To determine if a parent distraction coaching intervention improves child outcomes.
  • To assess behavioral, physiological, parent, and self-report measures of distress.

Main Methods:

  • 542 children aged 4-10 years were randomized into two groups: parent distraction coaching intervention or routine care.
  • The experimental group received coaching on providing distraction during the IV insertion.
  • Outcomes included behavioral observation, physiological measures (cortisol), parent reports, and child self-reports.

Main Results:

  • Children in the experimental group showed significantly reduced cortisol responsivity (p = .026).
  • The highest levels of distraction coaching were associated with the lowest distress across behavioral, parent-report, and cortisol measures.
  • Increased frequency and quality of parental distraction led to lower child distress.

Conclusions:

  • Parent-provided distraction is an effective method for reducing children's distress during IV insertion.
  • A structured coaching intervention can enhance the effectiveness of parental distraction.
  • Optimizing the frequency and quality of distraction can further improve pediatric procedural experiences.

More Related Videos

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children07:01

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Published on: March 1, 2019

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions10:38

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

Published on: July 16, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route01:29

Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route

The parenteral route is a critical method of drug administration. It delivers compounds directly into the systemic circulation and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. This approach is particularly advantageous for drugs that exhibit poor absorption or instability when administered orally.
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...