The Effect of Different Distraction Methods on Pain and Anxiety in Children

This study has been carried out experimentally in order to determine the effects of using rain sticks and kaleidoscope on pain, anxiety and parental satisfaction during blood collection in children aged 5-12 years. This research is a randomized controlled study. The research was performed with a total of 105 children and their parents, including the Experimental Group I (Rain Stick) consisting of 35 children, the Experimental Group II (Kaleidoscope) consisting of 35 children, and the Control Group consisting of 35 children who met the sample inclusion criteria. It was adhered to the CONSORT guidelines in the study. The pain score averages of the Experimental Group I and Experimental Group II were found to be significantly lower compared to the Control Group (p<0.05) according to the self-report of the children and the report of the parents and the researcher. When the children's Anxiety Scale-State mean scores were evaluated according to their self-evaluations, parents and researchers it was found that while there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of mean anxiety scores before the procedure (p>0.05), there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of mean anxiety scores during the procedure (p<0.05). It was determined that the use of rain stick and kaleidoscope were effective in reducing the level of pain and anxiety felt during blood collection in children.