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.