The Effect of Dry Heat and Dry Cold Application on Blood Sampling in Children

The Effect of Dry Heat and Dry Cold Application on Pain, Anxiety and Fear Levels Before Blood Sample Collection in School Age Children: A Randomized Controlled Study

The study was conducted as a parallel group randomized controlled in order to determine the effects of dry heat and dry cold application before blood collection in school-aged children (7-12 years old) on pain, anxiety and fear levels. Participants were randomly assigned to experiment 1-dry hot application group, experiment 2-dry cold application group and control group. In Experiment 1-Dry Heat Application group, a dry heat of 42°C was applied to the determined area with an electrical heating pad for 5 minutes before blood sample was taken. In Experiment 2-Dry Cold Application group, dry cold was applied to the area determined with a gel pad for 3 minutes before blood sample was taken. In the Control group, blood sampling was performed according to the clinical routine, and no heat or cold application was made.

Prior to blood sampling, parents and children were initially informed about the study in Experiment 1-dry heat, Experiment 2-dry cold, and control groups, and their written and verbal consents were obtained. After obtaining consent, information about the child and family was collected by the researcher with the "Child-Family Introductory Information Form" before the procedure. After the family and the child were introduced to the measurement tools (Wong Baker Faces Pain Scale, Child Fair Anxiety Scale and Medical Procedures Fear Inventory) to be scored, it was explained to the child that his mother or father would be with him during the procedure, and he was taken to the intervention room. Before the blood sample collection, the child's fear and anxiety were evaluated using Child Fear Anxiety Scale. In Experiment 1-Dry Heat Application group, the electrical heating pad with temperature regulation was heated by the researcher and set to 42°C. After making sure that there were no contraindications (deterioration of skin integrity, etc.) in the application of the electrical heating pad device, a dry heat of 42°C was applied to the determined area with an electrical heating pad for 5 minutes. In Experiment 2-Dry Cold Application group, dry cold was applied to the determined area with a gel pad for 3 minutes after the researcher made sure that there were no contraindications (deterioration of skin integrity, etc.) in the application of the gel pad. In the Control group, blood sampling was performed according to the clinical routine, and no heat or cold application was made.

Before blood sampling, the participants were assigned to the experiment 1-dry heat application, experiment 2-dry cold application and control groups.

The region where the invasive intervention will be performed will be determined by the nurse in charge of the shift. The researcher will heat the thermoregulated electric pad and set it to 42°C. After making sure that there are no contraindications in the application of the electric pad device, a dry heat of 42°C will be applied to the determined area with the electric pad for 5 minutes.

The region where the invasive intervention will be performed will be determined by the nurse in charge of the shift. After the researcher is sure that there are no contraindications in the application of the gel pad, dry cold will be applied to the determined area with the gel pad for 3 minutes.

Dry heat application: The region where the invasive intervention will be performed will be determined by the nurse in charge of the shift. The researcher will heat the thermoregulated electric pad and set it to 42°C. After making sure that there are no contraindications in the application of the electric pad device, a dry heat of 42°C will be applied to the determined area with the electric pad for 5 minutes.

Dry cold applicaiton: The region where the invasive intervention will be performed will be determined by the nurse in charge of the shift. After the researcher is sure that there are no contraindications in the application of the gel pad, dry cold will be applied to the determined area with the gel pad for 3 minutes.

Inclusion Criteria: 7-12 years old Absence of physical and mental illness Absence of auditory, visual and verbal speech disability Parents' willingness to participate in the research, and signing the volunteer form Exclusion Criteria: Those who do not meet the inclusion criteria Those who do not volunteer to participate