Comparison of the Effectiveness of Two Active Distraction Techniques During Venipuncture in Children

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Two Active Distraction Methods in Reducing Pain, Fear, and Anxiety in Children Undergoing Venous Blood Sampling

This study was conducted to compare the effects of two active distraction methods-bubble blowing and a material-free cognitive distraction/positive reinforcement technique-applied during venous blood sampling on pain, fear, and anxiety levels in children aged 7-12 years.

Distraction is an effective non-pharmacological nursing intervention used to reduce pain, fear, and anxiety in children during invasive procedures. This approach aims to decrease the child's emotional distress by diverting attention away from the perceived threat.

In particular, among children aged 7-12 years, procedure-related fear and avoidance behaviors may increase due to the impact of previous medical experiences; therefore, there is a need for comparative evaluation of effective distraction strategies tailored to this age group. While sensory-kinesthetic methods such as bubble blowing promote active participation, material-free cognitive techniques can be implemented in any setting and offer easily accessible options. However, studies directly comparing these methods remain limited.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 7 and 12 years,
• Literate (able to read and write),
• Having no diagnosed visual, hearing, intellectual, or neurological disorder,
• With no history of analgesic, sedative, or narcotic use within 24 hours prior to admission,
• Children who, together with their parent, volunteered to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children who do not meet the inclusion criteria,
• Children or parents who wish to withdraw from the study at any stage,
• Children from whom a blood sample could not be obtained with a single venipuncture attempt.