Effects of watching cartoons on pain scores in children undergoing venepuncture

BACKGROUND: Children experience pain and restlessness during invasive procedures. AIM: To determine the effect of watching cartoons on pain scores and the duration of crying in children aged 3-6 years undergoing venepuncture. METHOD: The study included 81 children, aged 3-6 years, who presented to the blood collection unit of a teaching and research hospital. The children were divided into an experimental group (n=41) and a control group (n=40). Those in the experimental group watched a cartoon and then venepuncture was initiated. Their pain levels and the duration of crying were assessed during venepuncture. After venepuncture, they continued to watch the cartoons and their pain levels were assessed again. During the process, another researcher calculated the duration of crying. The children in the control group were subjected to the same process but were not shown the cartoon. RESULTS: Significant differences in pain levels, duration of crying after the procedure and total duration of crying were found between the groups. There was no significant difference in terms of duration of crying during the procedure. CONCLUSION: Watching cartoons is a non-pharmacological method of pain relief, which reduces perception of pain by distracting a child's attention.