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Effects of distraction methods on anxiety and pain during blood collection in children aged 9-13

Bahar Ürün Ünal1, Burcu Gök Erdoğan2, Fuat Buğrul3

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey. urunbahar@gmail.com.

Irish Journal of Medical Science
|January 13, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Distraction methods like watching cartoons or using the Buzzy cold pack significantly reduced pain and anxiety in children aged 9-13 during blood collection. These non-pharmacological approaches offer effective alternatives to manage pediatric procedural pain.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Pain Management
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Non-pharmacological distraction methods offer alternatives for managing pain and anxiety in pediatric patients during blood collection.
  • Effective pain and anxiety management is crucial for positive healthcare experiences in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of distraction techniques on pain and anxiety levels in children aged 9-13 during blood collection.
  • To compare the efficacy of watching cartoons and cold application (Buzzy) against a control group.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled experimental study involving 450 pediatric patients (aged 9-13) undergoing blood collection.
  • Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: watching cartoons, cold application (Buzzy), or a control group.
  • Pain and anxiety were assessed using age-appropriate scales, including the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WB-FACES) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Main Results:

  • Both the cartoon and Buzzy groups reported significantly lower pain scores compared to the control group (P < 0.001).
  • The study included 450 children, with 57.6% males and 42.4% females, mean age 11.02 ± 1.45 years.
  • Each group comprised 150 participants, with interventions applied during the blood collection procedure.

Conclusions:

  • Watching cartoons and using the Buzzy cold pack are effective non-pharmacological methods for reducing venipuncture pain in children aged 9-13.
  • These distraction techniques provide a safe and viable option for managing procedural pain and anxiety in pediatric patients.
  • The findings support the integration of distraction strategies into routine pediatric blood collection protocols to improve patient comfort.
Abstract

Keywords:
BuzzyCartoonChild painDistractionVenipuncture procedure

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