The Effect of Play Activities for COVID-19 Positive and MIS-C Pediatric Patients on the Anxiety and Fear of Children and Their Parents

Aim: This study aims to determine the effects of play activities for COVID-19 positive and MIS-C pediatric patients on the anxiety and fear of children and their parents. Methods: This is an experimental study that was prepared through STROBE. The study population consisted of 38 children treated in a university hospital COVID-19 unit. The Children’s Anxiety Meter-State and the Children’s Fear Scale were administered before and after the play activities. The parents’ fear and anxiety were assessed using the COVID-19 Phobia Scale and the Beck Anxiety Inven- tory. The book and coloring set was prepared in advance and delivered to the experimental group in a package. After the sets were given to the parents, the parents read the book to their children the same day. Afterward, they were asked to color pictures of coro- navirus precautions together with the children. SPSS 22.00 package program was used to analyze the study data. The Mann-Whit- ney U test was used to compare independent groups, and Wilcoxon analysis was used to analyze dependent variables before and after the play activities. Results: Based on the children’s anxiety and fear scores in the experimental group, significant differences were found before and after the play activities and significant differences between the anxiety scores (<0.05) of parents and children. However, no significant difference was found between post-play anxiety and fear scores of children in the experimental group and the scores of the control group. Discussion: The experimental group had low mean anxiety and fear scores after the play activities. Play activities should be used to reduce the anxiety and fear of children who are treated in isolation in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if children are restricted to isolation rooms, their daily routines should be maintained, and their parents should be supported.