Current Pediatric Research

Background: Non-pharmacological anxiolytic distraction methods are extensively supported for their role in reducing anxiety; stress in hospitalized children However, there is limited scientific evidence identifying the most suitable distraction strategy, especially in an Indian set-up. Objective: To perform a comparative evaluation of the impact of two different distraction strategies as a non-pharmacological anxiolytic among hospitalized children. Methodology: In this prospective study, 120 hospitalized children of either sex, satisfying the inclusion criteria were included. Three different treatment groups created: animated cartoon video group (ACV/ n = 40), distraction card therapy (DCT/ n= 40) and control group (n= 40). ACV and DCT was administered for 20 minutes in their respective groups during the vital signs’ procedure, and anxiety was assessed before, during and after the 5 min of procedure by using modified child faces anxiety scale (Wong-Baker FACES). The routine procedure was done on control group without giving them the intervention. P?0.05 was considered significant. Results: Most patients were in the age group of 3-6 years, with a male predominance (53.75%) (Male: Female=0.67:0.57). Significant difference was noted in the post-test anxiety scale test score between ACV and control group, DCT and control group (p < 0.001), with high post-test score noted in the control group. Slightly high mean test score noted in the DCT group (6.8) than ACV group (5.5), but non-significant. Majority of children in the age group of 3-6 years had moderate anxiety levels in the ACV group (p = 0.01408) and DCT group (p = 0.0316) indicting their significant association with age group. Conclusion: ACV is a more effective non-pharmacological intervention than DCT, for decreasing the anxiety levels in paediatric inpatients.

Author(s): Supriya Alatekar*

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