Buzzy®, a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention Package, and a Kaleidoscope for Reducing Pain, Fear, and Anxiety During Subcutaneous Injections in Children With Cancer: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
Buzzy®, a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention Package, and a Kaleidoscope for Reducing Pain, Fear, and Anxiety During Subcutaneous Injections in Children With Cancer: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
Subcutaneous injections are commonly used in pediatric oncology care and may cause pain, fear, and anxiety in children. Repeated exposure to needle-related procedures may increase procedural distress and affect children's cooperation and coping during treatment. Therefore, simple, safe, and feasible non-pharmacological interventions are needed to improve children's comfort during routine procedures.
This randomized parallel trial was designed to compare three clinically feasible non-pharmacological approaches with different mechanisms during subcutaneous injections in children with cancer. Buzzy® provides cold and vibration as a sensory-based method, the cognitive behavioral intervention package supports preparation and coping, and the kaleidoscope provides visual distraction. By comparing these approaches within the same procedural context, the study aimed to provide practical evidence for pediatric oncology nurses when selecting interventions to reduce procedural distress.
All procedures were conducted in the routine clinical procedure area of a pediatric oncology clinic. The same subcutaneous injection procedure was used for all participants, and standardized assessment time points were applied before and immediately after the procedure.
This study was conducted as a randomized, parallel-group clinical trial in children with cancer undergoing routine subcutaneous injection. Participants were assigned to one of three intervention groups: Buzzy®, a cognitive-behavioral intervention package, or kaleidoscope distraction.
All interventions were delivered in the same clinical setting and within the same procedural context. Before the injection, baseline levels of procedural fear and state anxiety were assessed. The assigned intervention was then applied according to the group allocation during the subcutaneous injection procedure. Pain, fear, and state anxiety were evaluated immediately after the procedure using standardized pediatric assessment tools.
The trial was designed to compare three non-pharmacological strategies that are practical for use in pediatric oncology nursing care. The purpose was to determine whether sensory stimulation, cognitive-behavioral preparation and coping support, or visual distraction differed in their effects on procedural pain, fear, and anxiety during subcutaneous injection.
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