Use of stress balls to reduce fear and pain during intravenous access in children aged 7-12 years: A randomized controlled trial

Aim: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study to determine the effect of stress balls used during intravenous cannulation on pain and fear in children aged 7-12 years.Method: The data of the study were obtained from children aged 7-12 who came to the Karaman Training and Research Hospital Paediatrics Service between August 1 and October 31, 2020. The sample size was determined as 116 children, 58 for each group. Data were collected with the information form developed by the researchers, the Wong Baker Face and Children's Fear Scale. Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA, paired t-test were used in the analysis of the data.Results: In both groups, 55.2% (n=32) of the children were girls and 44.8% (n=26) were boys. The mean age of the children in both groups was determined as 9.53±1.77 years. It was determined that there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean fear of children before the procedure (p>0.05). After the procedure, the mean fear score of the children was 0.34±0.61 for the stress ball group, while it was 2.91 ± 0.68 for the control group. The difference between the groups in terms of the fear score average of the children was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). When the difference between the groups in terms of children's pain status is examined; It was observed that the pain level of the children in the stress ball group (0.81±1.06) was significantly lower than the pain level of the children in the control group (4.09±0.60).Conclusion: Squeezing a stress ball during venipuncture is an effective method for reducing fear and pain in children aged 7-12 years.