The Effect of Therapeutic Play on Pain, Fear, Anxiety and Physiological Parameters and Parents' Satisfaction

The Effect of Therapeutic Play on Pre-Treatment Pain, Fear, Anxiety and Physiological Parameters and Parents' Satisfaction

In this study, the effect of the therapeutic game applied before treatment on pain, fear, anxiety and physiological parameters and the satisfaction of the parents was investigated.

Therapeutic play is defined as activities structured in accordance with children's age and development, or as a set of interventions to improve the well-being of children in the hospital environment. This method reduces the stress of illness or hospitalization, uses play as a means of self-expression and supports the development of positive coping mechanisms in pediatric patients. In the literature, it is seen that therapeutic play methods such as listening to music, drawing, reading stories, puppets, dolls, virtual reality tools, cartoon applications, watching videos and playing video games are used to reduce the child's pain and anxiety about invasive procedures. Studies conducted to reduce the interactions between children in the same environment during their treatment and care are quite limited. No study has been found to examine the effect of methods that jointly block/reduce vision and hearing during treatment and care on anxiety, fear and pain in children treated together in pediatric clinics.

For the Child;

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being in the 3-6 age group,
• At least one day of inpatient treatment in the pediatric clinics of Selçuk Medical Faculty Hospital
• At least one invasive intervention in the treatment plan
• To be able to understand and speak Turkish
• Staying in a room with at least two beds

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a neurological disorder
• Not having a parent as a companion
• Receiving oral treatment only
• Hearing and vision problems
• Single bed capacity room or isolated room

For the Parent

Inclusion Criteria:

• Staying with their child as a constant companion
• To be able to understand and speak Turkish
• Accepting to participate in the study

The exclusion criteria:

• Not staying with your child all the time