Children's communication of emotional cues and concerns during a preoperative needle procedure

The effect of virtual reality glasses used during intravenous catheter application on the Child's emotional responses

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the effect of virtual reality glasses used during intravenous catheter insertion on the child's emotional responses.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The sample of the research, which was carried out as a randomized controlled experimental study, consisted of 102 children, including 51 in the control group and 51 in the study group, who were aged between 7 and 12 years and were on treatment in the pediatric emergency department(PED). Research data were collected using a Descriptive Data Form for Children and the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale. No intervention was applied to the control group. After the tourniquet was tied in the study group, the children started watching a video of their choice through virtual reality glasses. When the process was completed, the video was stopped. During this period, the child was evaluated using the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found between the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale scores of the children in the study and control groups (p = 0.000). The scores of the children in the study group were statistically significantly lower than the scores of the children in the control group.

CONCLUSION

During the intravenous catheter insertion process, children who watched cartoons on virtual reality glasses showed less negative emotional behavior than those who did not.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The use of virtual reality glasses is a developing technology in child health services, and it is recommended to encourage their use in these services.

Positive effects of a child-centered intervention on children's fear and pain during needle procedures

To examine whether children experience less fear or pain using a child-centered intervention and if there were differences between the intervention group and the control group regarding heart rate, time required for the procedure, success rate for the cannula insertion, and patient satisfaction. A controlled single-center case study of observational design, with one control and one intervention group. Child self-reported fear or pain levels did not reveal any differences for those receiving the intervention compared with controls. However, according to a behavioral observation measure with the Procedure Behavior Check List, effects of the intervention were lower distress in relation to fear and pain during the cannula insertion. The time it took to perform the cannula insertion also decreased significantly in the intervention group. More children in the intervention group reported that they were satisfied with the needle procedure compared with the children in the control group. The child-centered intervention provides reduced observed distress related to fear and pain in children undergoing a cannula insertion and reduced total time by more than 50%. This study found that child involvement in care strengthen their ability to manage a needle procedure.