Art healing and play: Reducing pain and anxiety in hospitalized children during venipuncture

Background

Hospitalization can induce significant stress in children, especially during medical procedures like venipuncture. Young patients often experience heightened anxiety and pain, making effective management crucial. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as art healing and play therapy, offer promising alternatives to alleviate distress while promoting emotional expression.

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of art healing and play therapy as non-pharmacological interventions in decreasing pain and anxiety in hospitalized children undergoing venipuncture.

Method

A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 120 children aged 5 to 8 years at a pediatric ward. Participants were assigned to three groups: Art healing Group (AHG), Play Distraction Group (PDG), and Control Group (CG). Pain and anxiety levels were measured using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and the Facial Affective Scale before and after the intervention.

Results

Both ADG and PDG showed significant reductions in post-procedure pain and anxiety levels compared to CG. The art healing group reported a mean post-procedure pain score of 1.15 (SD = 1.56), while the play distraction group reported 1.18 (SD = 1.50), significantly lower than the control group's score of 4.45 (SD = 1.98). No significant differences were observed between the two intervention groups.

Conclusion

Art healing and play therapy are effective non-pharmacological strategies for alleviating pain and anxiety in hospitalized children during venipuncture. Implementing these interventions can enhance pediatric care by providing supportive environments for children undergoing painful procedures.