Distraction Techniques for Children Undergoing Procedures: A Critical Review of Korean Intervention Research

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide a critical assessment of evidence-based Korean pediatric research that can inform clinical practicability of, and future research on distraction interventions for pediatric procedural pain management. METHODS: A critical review of evidence-based Korean pediatric research was conducted. Databases were searched to identify research that included an evaluation of a distraction intervention as an intervention for pediatric procedural pain management. The search yielded 68 studies. RESULTS: From these studies, 14 were included for this review and all were recently published (2003-2014). Quasi experimental designs were most frequently used (n=12) and for 71.4% the focus was preschoolers. Audiovisual techniques were the most common form of distraction. In most studies clinical utility of the distraction intervention was not examined. Fairly consistent reductions in behavioral measures of pain in association with the distraction intervention were found but less consistent results were found for physiological measures. CONCLUSION: Lack of methodological rigor limits the evidence for distraction interventions to reduce pain and fear experienced by children during painful procedures. Further research to analyze the cost and time-effectiveness and to identify consumer and provider satisfaction with distraction interventions is needed to determine whether distraction interventions are clinically relevant.