The Effects of Two Distraction Methods on Pain Levels and Physiological Parameters During the Postoperative Period in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Ambulatory Surgery: A Multiarm Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cartoon watching and ball squeezing on pain scores and physiological parameters during the postoperative period in pediatric patients’ ambulatory surgery. Design This was a prospective, single-center, single-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled study. Methods The study sample consists of 120 children between the ages of 6 and 12. The children were randomly assigned to the cartoon watching group (n = 40), the ball squeezing group (n = 40), and the control group (n = 40). The interventions were applied to the groups for 15 minutes. The Physiological Parameters Follow-up Form and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale were completed before the interventions were applied (0th minute), 10th minute during the intervention (10th minute), and 5 minutes after the intervention ended (20th minute). Pain scores were evaluated by the child, parent, and nurse. Findings A significant difference was detected in the group * time in the physiological parameters and pain scores of the intervention and control groups ( P < .05). The group * time interaction pain score (child) ( P < .001); pain score (parent) ( P < .001); pain score (nurse) ( P < .001) had a significant and medium effect size; body temperature ( P = .022); oxygen saturation ( P = .001); and respiratory rate ( P = .006) were found to have a significant and small effect size. Conclusions Cartoon watching and ball squeezing methods were effective at reducing pain, and ball squeezing was effective at stabilizing physiological parameters in children aged 6 to 12 years ambulatory surgery. These results positively affect pain control and physiological parameters in the postoperative period in children undergoing ambulatory surgery.