Effect of a Distraction Method on Pain, Anxiety and Behavioral Distress among Children during Venipuncture

Abstract

: During hospitalization children suffer from emotional and psychological problems due to painful procedures. Purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of a distraction therapy method on pain, anxiety and behavioral distress level among children during venipuncture. Research Design : A quasi-experimental research design was used. The study Sampling included 100 children aged from 1to18years admitted at pediatric medical departments of Menoufia and Tanta University Hospitals. Instruments : Four instruments were used (socio demographic characteristics of studied children pain scale , monitoring vital signs and oxygen saturation ,children’s emotional manifestation scale behavioral responses for assessing anxiety and fear for children and observation scale of behavioral distress during painful procedures) Results . There were a statistically significant decrease in pain severity and anxiety level after implementing distraction therapy among children in the study group compared to children in the control group. Conclusion : The utilized distraction method reduced children's pain, anxiety and behavioral distress .Therefore, the clowning distraction method is recommended as an effective strategy for significantly reducing the influence of painful procedures among hospitalized children.