The Effect of a Musical Toy on Preschool Children’s Pain and Anxiety During Blood Collection

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effect of providing a lighted, rotating musical toy on preschool children’s pain and anxiety during a blood collection procedure. Methods: The randomized controlled study was conducted on a sample of children aged 4-6 years who applied to the blood collection unit of a state hospital in Turkey from July 1 through August 1, 2022. The data were obtained from 95 children who met the research criteria (48 in the control group and 47 in the intervention group). Stratification and block randomization methods were used to determine the experimental and control groups. The variables of gender and fear of interference were used in the stratification of the children. The Family and Child Information Form, Child Fear and Anxiety Inventory, and Wong–Baker Facial Expression Rating Scale were used to collect the data. Results: The pain scores of the children in the experimental group were found to be lower (1.42 ± 1.05) than those in the control group (2.81 ± 1.23), and the result was statistically significant (P < .001). During the procedure, the mean Child Fear and Anxiety Inventory score of the children in the experimental group (1.21 ± 0.97) was lower than that of the control group (2.72 ± 1.10), and the difference was statistically significant (P < .001). Conclusion: This study found that providing a lighted, rotating musical toy to children aged 4-6 during blood collection effectively reduced their pain and anxiety. In line with these results, it is recommended that nurses and parents use such a toy in blood collection units to reduce pain and anxiety in children. © 2023, AVES. All rights reserved.