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Effect of a clown's presence at botulinum toxin injections in children: a randomized, prospective study

Lars Kjaersgaard Hansen1, Maria Kibaek, Torben Martinussen

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense.

Journal of Pain Research
|October 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Hospital clowns reduced crying in girls during repeat botulinum toxin treatments, but not in first-time patients or young boys. The study evaluated clown presence during painful pediatric procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric medicine
  • Child psychology
  • Pain management

Background:

  • Hospital clown interventions are rarely studied in pediatric procedures.
  • Botulinum toxin injections are painful and stressful for children.
  • This study assessed hospital clown impact on pediatric botulinum toxin treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of a hospital clown's presence on children undergoing botulinum toxin injections.
  • To determine if clown presence influences the duration of crying during the procedure.

Main Methods:

  • 121 botulinum toxin treatment sessions were prospectively enrolled over 2 years.
  • Children were randomized to receive treatment with or without a hospital clown.
  • The primary outcome measure was the duration of crying during the procedure.

Main Results:

  • Clown presence significantly reduced crying duration in girls.
  • Younger boys (under 8) experienced increased crying with a clown present.
  • No significant effect was observed for children undergoing their first treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Hospital clowns did not benefit children receiving their first botulinum toxin treatment.
  • Repeat treatments showed a positive effect for girls but a negative effect for boys under 8.
  • Gender and prior treatment experience influence the effectiveness of hospital clowns in pediatric pain management.
Abstract

Keywords:
botulinum toxinclowninjectionspain

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