SimSAARlabim study – The role magic tricks play in reducing pain and stress in children

Vaccination is an essential preventative medical intervention, but needle fear and injection pain may result in vaccination hesistancy. To assess the role of magic tricks – no trick vs. one trick ("disappearing handkerchief trick") vs. three tricks ("disappearing handkerchief trick", "jumping rubber band trick", and "disappearing ring trick") – performed by a professional magician and pediatrician during routine vaccination in reducing discomfort/pain and the stress response (heart rate, visual analogue scale (VAS), and biomarkers (cortisol, Immunoglobulin A (IgA), α-amylase, and overall protein concentration in saliva before and after vaccination). Randomized controlled trial (RCT) in healthy children aged 6–11 years undergoing routine vaccination in an outpatient setting. 50 children (26 female) were enrolled (no trick: n = 17, 1 trick: n = 16, 3 tricks: n = 17) with a median age of 6.9 years (range: 5.3–10.8 years). We detected no significant differences among the three groups in their stress reponse (heart rate before and after vaccination and cortisol, IgA, α-amylase, and overall protein concentrations in saliva before and after vaccination) or regarding pain assessment using the VAS. Although children undergoing routine outpatient vaccination appeared to enjoy a magician's presence, the concomitant performance of magic tricks revealed no significant effect on the stress response.