College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, Korea. chokj@khu.ac.kr
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the effects of distraction generated by character on the reduction of intravenous injection pain.
METHOD: This study was conducted using a quasi experimental non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. Sixty preschool children who were admitted to the pediatric department in a C university hospital were selected and were assigned. by convenience assignment to the experimental or control group. The two groups were homogeneous for demographic characteristics.
RESULTS: In the experimental group, objective pain(t=3.666, p=.001), subjective pain (t=3.415, p=.001) and perceived pain by the mother(t=2.528, p=0.014) decreased after the intravenous injections as compared to the control group.
There were no statistical significant differences in pulse rate or fear between the experimental and the control group.
CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that using character stamp and stickers could be considered as an independent nursing intervention for reduction of intravenous injection pain in preschooler.