Effect of Storytelling Versus Cartoon on Pain and Fear Relief among Children Undergoing Venipuncture

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University

2 Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Alhasa, Saudia Arabia

3 Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

4 Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University

5 Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, & Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University Alhasa, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Pain and fear may be experienced by children who are subjected to uncomfortable
procedures. Pain management is an important topic to explore, as is how distraction techniques can
be utilized to divert children's attention away from uncomfortable stimuli during painful procedures.
This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of storytelling versus cartoon on pain and fear relief
among children undergoing venipuncture. Design: The current study used a quasi-experimental
research design. Setting: the current study was conducted in Surgical Pediatric Department at Beni
Suef University Hospital. Subjects: 120 preschool-age children selected through the purposive
sampling method were equally and randomly assigned into three groups, (40 children in the
storytelling group, 40 children in cartoon group, and 40 children in the control group who received
routine hospital care). Tools: Four tools were used as the following: I-A structured interviewing
questionnaire, II-NumericRating Scale (NRS), III-Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, and IV
Children's Fear Scale were used for collecting data. Results: In the cartoon group, children having
the lowest mean pain (2.3+1.2). About one-third of children had moderate pain, more than half of
the children remained relaxed, with statistical significance differences of (0.001*). More than half
of children in the cartoon group reporting no pain on WBFS. The children in the cartoon group
(1.2+0.5) had lower mean ratings for fear. Conclusion: Cartoon was an effective method for
reducing and relieving pain and fear among children during venipuncture more than the storytelling
method. Control group who received the routine work of the hospital only, their pain and fair still
high. Recommendations: Application of the storytelling and cartoon distraction techniques besides
routine hospital programs during intravenous injection is recommended in the care of children to
reduce pain and fear related to intravenous injection

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