Positive effects of a child-centered intervention on children's fear and pain during needle procedures

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Child Psychology
• Medical Procedures

Background:

• Cannula insertion is a common but often distressing procedure for children.
• Assessing and mitigating pediatric procedural pain and fear is crucial for patient well-being.
• Child-centered approaches aim to improve patient experience and cooperation during medical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a child-centered intervention on children's fear and pain during cannula insertion.
• To compare procedural outcomes, including heart rate, procedure time, and success rates, between intervention and control groups.
• To assess patient satisfaction levels in both groups following the needle procedure.

Main Methods:

• A controlled, single-center case study with observational design.
• Inclusion of one intervention group and one control group.
• Utilized self-reported fear/pain scales and the Procedure Behavior Checklist for behavioral observation.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in self-reported fear or pain between groups.
• Significantly lower observed distress (fear and pain) in the intervention group based on behavioral measures.
• Cannula insertion time decreased by over 50% in the intervention group.
• Higher patient satisfaction reported in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• Child-centered interventions effectively reduce observed distress and procedural time in pediatric cannula insertions.
• Empowering children through involvement in their care enhances their coping mechanisms during needle procedures.
• This approach improves the overall experience and management of pediatric medical interventions.