Non-pharmacological Strategies to Mitigate Pain and Anxiety among Children on Dialysis

Mahmoud Farrag, Jihan; Mohamed Ahmed, Sabra; Abdallah Mohammed, Hanan; Mohamed Ahmed Ayed, Manal

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2022.230014

Non-pharmacological Strategies to Mitigate Pain and Anxiety among Children on Dialysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, PortSaid University

² Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University

³ Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University

10.21608/ejhc.2022.230014

Abstract

Pain and anxiety mitigation among children on dialysis is an important issue to be discussed, in
addition to how non-pharmacological strategies can help in making this mitigation through the
pediatric nurse. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of non-pharmacological strategies to
mitigate pain and anxiety among children on dialysis. Research design: A quasi-experimental
research design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted in the Pediatric Dialysis Unit at
Sohag University Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample that included 80 children on dialysis was
selected and studied within six months. They were divided into two equal groups; 40children in the
intervention group “who applied non-pharmacological strategies” and 40 children in the control
group. Tools: three tools were used: 1st tool included demographic characteristics of studied
children and their parents, and medical record sheets of the studied children, 2nd tool included
NumericPain Rating Scale and 3rd tool included Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Results: A highly
statistical significant was found regarding the total mean scores of pain and anxiety between the
intervention and control groups, where the children in the intervention group had little total mean
scores of pain and anxiety levels after receiving non-pharmacological strategies, compared to
children in the control group < /span>. Conclusion: Non-pharmacological strategies that were used in this
study had a good effects in mitigate pain and anxiety among children on the dialysis.
Recommendation: Application of non-pharmacological strategies by nurses in the care for children
on the dialysis to mitigate pain and anxiety.

Keywords