The effect of a hand puppet-based therapeutic play for preschool children on the fear and pain associated with blood collection procedure

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a therapeutic play involving a hand puppet on the fear and pain associated with blood collection procedure in preschool children. Design and methods: The research was conducted as a randomised controlled experiment. The sample included children aged 3–6 years who attended the blood collection unit between July and October 2022 and met the study's inclusion criteria. The research was completed with a total of 120 children, divided evenly into one of two groups. The nursing intervention of the research was a therapeutic play applied with a hand puppet. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a Questionnaire Form, the Child Fear Scale and the Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. Ethical principles were followed in the research. Results: Differences between mean fear and pain level scores between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The therapeutic play applied with a hand puppet reduced the level of fear and pain associated with the blood collection process. Practice implications: Health professionals working in units related to paediatrics can use hand puppets, which are easy to use, inexpensive and practical, to reduce the fear and pain associated with blood collection from pre-school children. © 2023 Elsevier Inc.