Preventing Needle Phobia in Children: The Efficacy of Distraction Techniques

Abstract

Background: Needle phobia exists in almost 50% of children despite being a condition that produces significant discomfort regarding necessary medical treatments. Virtual reality (VR) bubble blowing and tablet games demonstrate the potential to decrease both procedural pain and fear in children, but established standard operating procedures are currently absent.
Aim: This study evaluated the effectiveness of structured distraction interventions compared to standard care in reducing pain, fear, and distress during pediatric needle procedures while assessing procedural success and parent satisfaction.
Methods: A quasi-experimental research study included 60 children aged 3-12 years who received randomized grouping into either structured distraction intervention (VR, bubbles, or tablets) or standard care conditions at Saidu Teaching Hospital. The outcomes addressed pain using FPS-R/FLACC scales and fear through CFS measurements, success rate figures for the first attempt procedures, assessment of duration and parent satisfaction levels, and documentation of distress behaviors. The SPSS v28 program with p<0.05 significance level analyzed the data using independent t-tests and chi-square tests.
Results: First-attempt success proved higher, along with decreased pain (2.1±1.4 vs. 4.7±1.8) and fear (1.8±0.9 vs. 3.9±1.2) among subjects receiving structured distraction methods (p<0.001). VR provided the most significant success rate along with the least amount of pain (1.7±1.1) among all intervention methods, yet bubbles (2.0±1.3) and tablets (2.6±1.6) showed intermediate outcomes. Twenty-four seconds shortened the procedural time (p=0.002), and parent satisfaction rates increased to 83.3% while remaining at 40% in the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion:The adoption of structured distraction techniques leads to better procedural findings and improved patient experience outcomes. Research has demonstrated virtual reality as the best approach, although cost-effective bubble techniques could also deliver successful results. Medical staff should adopt this intervention into their practice for improved care of pediatric patients.