Pain and factors that affect its definition as defined by preschool age children: a qualitative study

The aim of this study was to determine the definitions of pain by pre-school age children and factors that affect these definitions. The study was conducted on children aged between four and six years (N=146) in the city of Karaman in Turkey. Qualitative and quantitative research design were used together in this study. This study's qualitative tradition method was phenomenologic research. The data were assessed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The children's definitions of pain were found to be affected by their hospital and daily life experiences. The preschool age children generally defined pain in similar ways, and everything that made children feel pain made them think about it. Sometimes their family members, hospital equipment, and health staff lead them to think about pain.

Efficacy of Distraction Methods on Procedural Pain and Anxiety by Applying Distraction Cards and Kaleidoscope in Children

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate two different distraction methods, distraction cards and kaleidoscope, on pain and anxiety relief of children during phlebotomy. METHODS: This study is a prospective, randomized and controlled trial. The sample consisted of 7-11 year-old children who required blood tests. Children were randomized into three groups: the distraction cards group, the kaleidoscope group, and the control group. Data were obtained by interviewing the children with their parents and the observer before and after the procedure. The pain levels of the children were assessed by the parent and observer reports as well as self report using the Wong Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. The anxiety levels of children were assessed by parent and observer reports using Children Fear Scale. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-eight children (mean age, 8.8 +/- 1.5 years) were included. The pain levels of children showed significant differences among the groups (p = .005). Both the distraction card group (2.41 +/- 2.49) and the kaleidoscope group (3.10 +/- 2.16) had lower pain levels than the control group did (4.44 +/- 3.64). The distraction card group had the lowest pain levels (2.41 +/- 2.49) among all groups. The procedural anxiety levels of children were significantly different among the groups (p = <.001). Both the distraction card group (1.10 +/- 1.20) and the kaleidoscope group (1.61 +/- 1.12) had lower anxiety levels than the control group did (2.41 +/- 1.30). The distraction card group had the lowest anxiety levels (p = <.001). CONCLUSION: The distraction cards were the most effective method for pain and anxiety relief of children during phlebotomy. Also the distraction method with kaleidoscope was an effective method for pain and anxiety relief during phlebotomy in children.