The effect of buzzy®, DistrACTION® cards on reducing pediatric pain and fear during blood collection in the rheumatology polyclinic: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Buzzy® and DistrACTION® Cards in reducing children's pain and fear while taking venous blood samples.

Methods: This research was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The study population consisted of children aged 6-12 years admitted to the Pediatric Rheumatology Diseases Polyclinic in a Faculty of Medicine in Germany. The sample of the study consisted of 96 children (Buzzy® = 32, DistrACTION® Cards = 32, control = 32) who met the patient selection criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The data were obtained using a Child and Family Information Form, the Children Fear Scale (CFS), and the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). The data were evaluated using the Pearson chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, One-way ANOVA test with Bonferroni correction, and Fisher-Freeman-Halton.

Findings: In the study, the average age of the children was 9.21 ± 2.15 years. The Buzzy® group had the lowest pain and procedural fear scores (self-report = 0.88 ± 1.13, 0.31 ± 0.47; parent report = 0.75 ± 0.98, 0.34 ± 0.48, and researcher report = 0.81 ± 1.00, 0.31 ± 0.54, respectively) than the DC, and control groups.

Conclusions: The Buzzy® method was effective in reducing venipuncture pain and fear in children.

Practice implications: Nurses can use the Buzzy® methods to help reduce venipuncture pain and fear in children. The clinical trial registration number is NCT05560074. (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT05560074).

Keywords: Buzzy; Children pain; DistrACTION cards; Fear; Venous blood collection.