Effect of Vibrating Tourniquet and Distraction Cards on Pain and Anxiety in Children

Effect of Vibrating Tourniquet and Distraction Cards on Pain and Anxiety Levels During Phlebotomy in Children

The aim of the study was to observe the effect of the use of vibrating tourniquet and distraction card on the pain, fear and anxiety levels felt during the blood collection process in children. The study was conducted between July 2021 and March 2022 as a randomized controlled study with totally 120 children in three groups. The 'Child and Parent Identification Form' was used for socio-demographic data about the child and the parent before phlebotomy. The 'Visual Analog Scale (VAS)', 'Child Fear Scale (CFS)' and 'Child Anxiety Scale-State Scale (ÇAS-D)' were used before, during and after the phlebotomy. Vibrating Tourniquet Group (intervention group 1) consists of a total of 40 children. Distraction Cards Group (intervention group 2) consists of a total of 40 children. Control group consists of a total of 40 children.

It is a 10 cm or 100 mm long horizontal or vertical line with anchor statements "no pain or pain at its least" at the left-most end and "unbearable pain or worst pain imaginable" at the right-most end. The VAS score is determined by measuring (in cm) the distance of the mark from the left end of the line.

The scale is in the form of a thermometer with horizontal lines. For 10 horizontal lines, the line at the bottom of the thermometer, '0', represents the lowest anxiety level, and the line at the top of the thermometer, i.e., '10', represents the highest level of anxiety.

These faces are showing different levels of anxiety. This face [point to the left-most face] shows no anxiety at all, this faces shows a little bit more [point to second face from left], a bit more [sweep finger along scale], right up to extreme anxiety [point to the last face on the right]. Have a look at these faces and choose the one that shows how much anxiety you felt during [the needle].

Inclusion Criteria: The child is between the ages of 6-10, The child has no pain just before the procedure, The child has not taken any analgesic-effective medication in the last 6 hours, The child does not have a hearing problem, The child and the parent can speak and understand Turkish The child has a sufficient level of mental development to understand speech -Parent and child are willing to participate in the research. Exclusion Criteria: Children who cannot be successfully drawn in the first application Children with oncological disease, epilepsy, migraine, or vestibular disorder.

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