Effects of Watching Cartoons on Pain in Children during Venipuncture

Background: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience accompanying existing or potential tissue damage or described with this damage. Many children experience pain and may become restless during invasive procedures. Pain-relieving methods during invasive procedures are generally classified as pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Nurses frequently employ non-pharmacological methods in pain management.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of watching cartoons on pain scores and duration of crying during venipuncture.

Methods: The study included 81 36-72-month-old children who presented to the blood collection unit of the childrens clinics. Their children watched a cartoon then the venipuncture process was initiated. The children’s pain levels and the duration of crying were assessed during the venipuncture. After the venipuncture, they continued to watch the cartoon and their pain levels were assessed again. During the process; another researcher calculated the children’s duration of crying. The children in the control group were subjected to the same process but were not shown the cartoon.

Results: Significant differences were determined between the groups in terms of pain levels, duration of crying after the procedure and total duration of crying. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of duration of crying during the procedure.

Conclusions: Watching cartoons, one of the non-pharmacological pain relieving methods, reduces perception of pain by distracting a child’s attention.