Is tablet-based interactive distraction effective on pain and anxiety during circumcision in children? A randomized

Elif Gezginci1, Derya Suluhan2, Mehmet Bahadir Caliskan3

  • 1Department of Surgical Nursing, University of Health Sciences Hamidiye Faculty of Nursing, Istanbul, Turkey.

Insights

Tablet distraction significantly reduced pain and anxiety in children undergoing circumcision. This method also improved physiological parameters and satisfaction levels, offering a beneficial nonpharmacological approach.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Pain Management
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Distraction is a common nonpharmacological method for managing procedural pain in children.
  • Limited research exists on the efficacy of active distraction, specifically tablet-based interactive distraction, during pediatric circumcision.
  • Circumcision is a common procedure associated with pain and anxiety in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of tablet-based interactive distraction on pain and anxiety in children undergoing circumcision.
  • To assess the impact of tablet distraction on children's physiological parameters and satisfaction levels during circumcision.

Main Methods:

  • A single-center, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial with parallel groups was conducted.
  • The study included 70 children, with 35 in the tablet distraction group and 35 in the control group.
  • Primary outcome: Numeric Rating Scale for pain. Secondary outcomes: State-Trait Anxiety Scale for Children, physiological parameters (pulse rate, O2 saturation), and satisfaction levels.

Main Results:

  • Children in the tablet distraction group exhibited significantly lower pain scores and pulse rates during and after circumcision (P < .001).
  • Oxygen saturation was significantly higher in the tablet distraction group compared to the control group (P < .001).
  • Post-procedure, anxiety scores were significantly lower (P < .001), and satisfaction scores were significantly higher (P < .001) in the tablet distraction group.

Conclusions:

  • Tablet-based interactive distraction is an effective nonpharmacological intervention for reducing pain and anxiety in children during circumcision.
  • This distraction method positively influences children's physiological responses and enhances their overall satisfaction with the procedure.
  • Interactive tablet distraction presents a valuable tool for improving the pediatric circumcision experience.
Abstract

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