[Survey of studies on the role of play in child nursing]

In this survey, 103 papers submitted to several nursing societies and published in leading nursing journals are outlined and analyzed in terms of motives for studies, kinds of play enjoyed by the subjects and effects of play on members of ward staff, child patients and their family members. The articles are listed in chronological order so that the changes and trends in the studies in this field will be shown. Studies on play started and developed in the clinical field for better ward management and more effective treatment. However, effects of play on development of child patients gradually became the focus of the studies. In terms of the subjects' level of health, it used to be limited to chronically-hospitalized patients who were not behaviorally limited. The scope of the subjects has widened to include "every health level". It's now purported that every patient regardless of his/her health level should enjoy the benefits of play. Regarding kinds of play, indoor plays were initially predominant, but subsequently outdoor activities became more popular with the playing repertoire increasing. Infantile stage has been and still is most frequently discussed in the field, while other developmental stages are now attracting more attention than before.