Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
The effect of two different interventions on emotional appearance, pain, and fear during respiratory panel sampling
Ozge Karakaya Suzan1, Nebiye Gül2, Ayşe Eroglu3
1Sakarya University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Türkiye.
Insights
A palm stimulator effectively reduced pain and fear in children during respiratory swab collection. This nonpharmacological intervention proved safe and low-cost for pediatric nursing care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Pain Management
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Respiratory panel swab collection can induce pain, fear, and emotional distress in children.
- Nonpharmacological interventions are sought to mitigate procedural discomfort.
- This study evaluated a palm stimulator and a stress ball for managing procedural distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of a palm stimulator versus a stress ball and routine care in reducing pain, fear, and emotional distress during respiratory panel swab collection in children.
- To determine the safety and practicality of palm stimulation as a nursing intervention.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 109 children aged 6-12 years.
- Participants were assigned to a palm stimulator, stress ball, or control group.
- Pain, fear, and emotional appearance were measured using validated scales before and after the procedure.
Main Results:
- The palm stimulator group showed significantly lower pain and fear scores compared to stress ball and control groups.
- Emotional appearance scores improved significantly in the palm stimulator group post-procedure.
- Findings were consistent across child, parent, and nurse ratings.
Conclusions:
- Palm stimulation is an effective, safe, and low-cost nonpharmacological intervention for pediatric respiratory swab collection.
- It significantly reduces pain, fear, and negative emotional responses.
- This nurse-led intervention offers a practical approach to improve pediatric procedural care.
Background:
This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of two nonpharmacological interventions-a palm stimulator and a stress ball-on pain, fear, and emotional appearance during respiratory panel swab collection in children.
Methods:
Randomized controlled trial was conducted with 109 children aged 6-12 years were randomly assigned to a palm stimulator group, a stress ball group, or a control group receiving routine care. Pain was assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, fear was evaluated with the Children's Fear Scale, and emotional appearance was measured using the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale before and after the procedure. Data were analyzed using robust mixed analysis of variance and nonparametric statistical methods.
Results:
Children in the palm stimulator group demonstrated significantly lower pain and fear scores compared with both the stress ball and control groups. Post-procedural emotional appearance scores were also significantly lower in the palm stimulator group, whereas marked increases over time were observed in the stress ball and control groups. Although statistically significant differences were observed between child-, parent-, and nurse-rated outcomes, the overall pattern of group differences was consistent across raters, with the palm stimulator group demonstrating lower pain, fear, and emotional distress scores.
Conclusions:
The palm stimulator was found to be an effective, safe, and low-cost nonpharmacological nursing intervention for reducing pain, fear, and negative emotional responses during respiratory panel swab collection in children.
Implications To Practice:
Palm stimulation may be a practical, low-cost, and nurse-led nonpharmacological intervention for reducing pain, fear, and emotional distress during respiratory panel swab collection in children.