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The Effect of 2 Different Distraction Methods on Pain, Fear, and Anxiety Levels During Venous Blood Draw in Children
Özlem Akarsu1, Remziye Semerci, Derya Kılınç
1Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey (Dr Akarsu); Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Koç University, İstanbul, Turkey (Dr Semerci); and Health Sciences University Zeynep Kamil Gynecology and Pediatrics Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey (Dr Kilinç).
Insights
Virtual reality (VR) and tablets significantly reduce pain, fear, and anxiety in children during blood draws. VR offered the greatest reduction in distress for pediatric patients undergoing venous procedures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric emergency medicine
- Child psychology
- Medical technology integration
Background:
- Blood draws commonly induce pain, fear, and anxiety in children.
- Effective non-pharmacological interventions are needed to manage pediatric procedural distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) versus tablet-based cartoon viewing.
- To assess the impact on pain, fear, and anxiety during pediatric blood draws.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 159 children (5-12 years).
- Three groups: VR cartoons, tablet cartoons, and a control group.
- Outcomes measured: perceived pain, fear, and anxiety during venous blood draws.
Main Results:
- Both VR and tablet groups reported lower pain, fear, and anxiety compared to the control.
- The VR group exhibited the most significant reduction in perceived pain, fear, and anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Cartoon viewing via VR or tablet is an effective non-pharmacological strategy.
- VR appears to be superior to tablets for mitigating procedural distress in children.
- Healthcare providers should consider these methods to improve pediatric patient experience.
Background:
Blood draw procedures can cause pain, fear, and anxiety in the pediatric population.
Purpose:
To compare the effects of watching cartoons either with virtual reality (VR) or via a tablet on pain, fear, and anxiety during venous blood draw procedures in children.
Methods:
A randomized controlled study was conducted with 159 children aged 5 to 12 years in the pediatric emergency unit. The 3 groups included cartoons with VR (n = 53) or a tablet (n = 53), and a control group (n = 53).
Results:
Children in the 2 intervention groups had lower perceptions of pain, fear, and anxiety, with those watching cartoons via VR having the lowest perceptions.
Conclusions:
Findings from this study showed a reduction in the perception of pain, fear, and anxiety in children who watched cartoons with VR or tablets during blood draw procedures. Nurses should consider using these nonpharmacological methods to reduce pain, fear, and anxiety, among pediatric patients.
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