The effect of mobile game training designed for asthmatic children on asthma management and quality of life.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effect of mobile game training designed for children with asthma on inhaler use skills, asthma symptoms and treatment needs, and quality of life. DESIGN AND METHODS: This randomized controlled study was conducted between April and October 2023 at "Pediatric Asthma and Allergy Clinic" in Turkey. The sample of the study consists of a total of 74 children diagnosed with asthma, including the Mobile game (n: 37) and the Control group (n: 37). In the study, a mobile game was developed for children with asthma between the ages of 8-12. In collecting research data; Child and Parent Information Form, Inhaler Use Skill Evaluation Form, Asthma Symptom and Treatment Need Scoring (Asthma Symptom Score [ASS], Rhinitis Symptom Score [RSS] and Total Symptom Score [TSS]), DISABKIDS Asthma Scale were used. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the demographic status of the children (p > 0.05). It was determined that the average inhaler use skill score and DISABKIDS asthma scale Child/Parent score average of the children in the mobile game group were higher than the control group (p < 0.05). When the children's final follow-up ASS, RSS and TSS total scores were examined; It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the children in the mobile game and control groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a result of this study, it was determined that mobile game training designed for children is an effective method in increasing children's ability to use inhaler medications, reducing asthma symptoms and treatment needs, and improving quality of life. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: Nurses can improve children's quality of life by using mobile game training programs that attract children's attention.

Effect of short film video and video-based education on fear, pain, and satisfaction of children undergoing day surgery.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the effect of introducing the operating room environment with different informative multimedia methods to pediatric patients aged 7-12 in the preoperative period in day surgery on fear, pain, and patient satisfaction in three different groups comparatively. DESIGN AND METHODS: This randomized controlled study was conducted with the guidelines of Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). The sample of children was allocated to the Short Film Group (n:30), Video Based Education Group (n:30) and Control Group (n:30). Fear, pain, and satisfaction were measured. RESULTS: The age distribution of the children in the study was 7.57 ± 1.25 years in the short film group, 7.27 ± 0.52 years in the video-based education group, and 7.57 ± 2.27 years in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic status, fear, and vital signs before the procedure. Fear, pain, and satisfaction levels of children in short film groups were lower than video-based education groups. CONCLUSION: The result of this research reveals that preoperative short film education in children is more effective than video-based education in reducing fear, pain, and satisfaction levels. This intervention could be an effective method to improve outcomes. Nurses can increase children's comfort by using educational programs that attract children's attention. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare team members working in pediatric surgical units can use the short film method, which is effective, easy, and applicable in the field, to reduce pain and fear in the preoperative period and increase satisfaction in children undergoing day surgery.

The impact of umbilical cord care education given to Primiparous mothers on cord separation time: A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the impact of umbilical cord care education given to primiparous mothers on cord separation time. DESIGN AND METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. The mothers constituting the research sample were divided into two groups, the control group and the education group, and cord care and cord separation times were measured. RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers was 28.72 ± 4.86 years (min. 20 years, max. 40 years). There was no difference in age, gestational week of the baby, birth weight of the baby, gender of the baby and mode of delivery of the mother between the mothers in the control and education groups. While the cord separation time was 10.97 ± 0.320 days in the babies in the control group, it was 6.60 ± 0.177 days in the babies in the education group. A statistically significant difference was found between the duration of cord separation of the babies in the control and education groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that giving umbilical cord care education to primiparous mothers reduces umbilical cord separation time. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is recommended that pediatric nurses provide education on umbilical cord care and the goals and methods of application of care practices, especially to primiparous mothers. CLINICAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials (code: NCT05573737).

Effectiveness of music during cardiac catheterization on children's pain, fear, anxiety and vital signs: A randomized, blind controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of music during pediatric cardiac catheterization procedure on children's pain, fear, anxiety and vital signs. DESIGN AND METHODS: This randomized, blind controlled study was conducted with the guidelines of Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). The sample of children was allocated to the Control Group, the Classic Music Group, and the Self-Selected Group. Pain, fear, and anxiety levels were measured before and after the pediatric cardiac catheterization procedure. Vital signs were measured before, during, and after the pediatric cardiac catheterization procedure. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic status, pain, fear, or anxiety levels and vital signs before the procedure. In post pediatric cardiac catheterization measurement in the recovery phase, pain, fear levels, anxiety levels, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of children in the musical intervention groups were lower than the control group. No statistical difference was found in terms of pain, fear and anxiety levels of the children in groups Classic and Self-Selected. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The result of this research reveals that musical intervention applied during the pediatric cardiac catheterization procedure in children affects the reduction of pain, fear and anxiety levels and stabilization of vital signs. This intervention could be an effective nonpharmacological method to improve outcomes.Nurses can improve children's comfort by using musical interventions. CLINICAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials (code: NCT04316754).

The experiences of parents of children in pediatric palliative care: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to better understand the experiences of mothers of children receiving pediatric palliative care. DESIGN AND METHODS: The qualitative phenomenological method was used to determine the mothers' experiences. The study sample included 15 mothers. Individual interviews, an introductory information form and a semi-structured interview form were used for data collection. The data were analyzed with Colaizzi's seven-step method. MAXQDA was used for coding and creating themes. RESULTS: Three main themes of the interviews emerged; family experiences, social life and care in the palliative care unit. The mothers said that family relationships were affected, that they experience fear of loss, that they experience depression, that all responsibility for treatment and care lies with the mothers, and that there is no social support. Mothers said that they are in the same place as mothers of children in similar situations and that they are happy and comfortable because they have single rooms. In addition, the mothers stated that they are very afraid of the COVID-19 virus infecting their children and therefore losing their children. CONCLUSIONS: The mothers experienced some problems such as fear of loss, depression, care burden, social support, exclusion, daily life, social relationships, feeling safe, and emotional effect. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Pediatric nurses need to understand mothers' anxiety, grief, relationships with their children, and coping strategies to provide support.

What Neonatal Intensive Care Nurses Have Experienced in COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey.

Neonatal intensive care nurses have faced additional difficulties in adapting to a new work environment with a stressful situation brought about by the pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the experiences of nurses working in neonatal intensive care units during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Experiences were determined using phenomenology, a form of qualitative research. The study involved 14 neonatal intensive care nurses. The data were analyzed on the MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software in accordance with Colaizzi's 7-step method. Four themes were identified after the interviews: the experiences related to working conditions, neonatal care, psychosocial effect, and social life. In addition, 17 subthemes were created. The study revealed that neonatal intensive care nurses experienced physical, psychological, and social difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is thought that these results have become even more important to reduce the workload of nurses and to increase the quality of nursing care, especially in times of crisis such as pandemics.

Effects of ShotBlocker® and the Helfer skin tap technique on pain and fear experienced during intramuscular injection among children aged 6-12 years in pediatric emergency units: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In pediatric emergency units, intramuscular injection is one of the most common procedures that cause pain and fear in children. Reducing pain and fear is important for patient comfort. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled experimental study aimed to determine the effects of ShotBlocker® and the Helfer skin tap technique on the pain and fear experienced by children aged 6-12 years during intramuscular injection in pediatric emergency units. METHODS: This study was conducted from April 2022 to October 2023 among 177 children aged 6-12 years. ShotBlocker and the Helfer skin tap technique were applied during intramuscular injection among children in the intervention groups (ShotBlocker group: n = 59, Helfer skin tap technique group: n = 59), while children in the control group received routine injections. (n = 59). The levels of pain and fear were measured. RESULTS: In the analysis of the age distribution of the children, the average age of the Helfer skin tap technique group was found to be 8.54 ± 2.00 years; ShotBlocker group, 8.46 ± 1.99 years; and control group, 9.19 ± 2.01 years. There was a significant difference in the post-intervention Wong-Baker Pain Scale and Child Fear Scale scores based on the evaluation of the children, parents, and observer nurses between the groups (p < 0.05). The pain and fear scores of the ShotBlocker group were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ShotBlocker is more effective in reducing pain than the Helfer skin tap technique among children receiving intramuscular injection. These cheap and easy-to-use methods are recommended for use in emergency units.

[Examination of social media and technology use of mothers in breastfeeding period in a region of Turkey]. / Examen del uso de las redes sociales y la tecnología por parte de las madres en periodo de lactancia en una región de Turquía.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the social media and technology use of mothers during breastfeeding. METHOD: Descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was carried out with mothers who brought their children for follow-up in the pediatric outpatient clinics of a public hospital, a university hospital and a private hospital located in Turkey. A questionnaire developed «ad hoc¼ was used for data collection. RESULTS: The total sample consisted of 275 mothers (n = 275). Mothers participating in the study 89.8% of the mothers used social media, 86.5% sought on the reliability of the information on the internet, 73.8% used the medical information on the internet to decide on any case about breastfeeding and 66.9% of them used cell phone or computer during breastfeeding. A statistically significant difference was determined between the education level of the mothers and social media use (p < 0.05). It was determined that the mothers who were secondary school graduate and those with three or more children talked on a cell phone while breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the mothers used social media and technology at a level limiting their interaction with their children. It is recommended to protect mothers from digital addiction and improve their digital literacy levels.

Effectiveness of lavender inhalation aromatherapy on pain level and vital signs in children with burns: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Burns are a source of pain, which cannot be fully treated with medications. OBJECTIVES: This study aims is to test the effectiveness of lavender oil inhalation aromatherapy applied before dressing change on vital signs and pain levels of children with burns. DESIGN: This randomized controlled study was held between May 2018 and May 2019. A total of 108 children who met the inclusion criteria were studied in three groups: Lavender-15 Group inhaled lavender oil for 15 min before dressing (n:36), Lavender-60 Group inhaled lavender oil for 60 min before dressing (n:36), and Control Group inhaled jojoba (placebo) oil for 15 min before dressing (n:36). Baseline pain levels and vital signs of the children were measured before inhalation. Pain levels and vital signs of the children were re-measured at the 1st and 30th minutes after dressing. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of pain levels (p = 0.750) and vital signs before dressing. In post-dressing measurements, the number of respiration (after 1 min p = 0.000, after 30 min p = 0.000), heart rate (after 1 min p = 0.000, after 30 min p = 0.000), mean arterial blood pressure (after 1 min p = 0.010, after 30 min p = 0.000) and pain levels (after 1 min p = 0.000, after 30 min p = 0.000) were lower in the Lavender groups compared to the placebo group. DISCUSSION: The result of this research reveals that inhalation aromatherapy which applied before dressing in children with burns affects the reduction of pain levels and stabilization of vital signs.

Infiltration and extravasation in pediatric patients: A prevalence study in a children's hospital.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of infiltration and extravasation among children staying in a children's hospital and the interventions carried out when infiltration or extravasation occurred. METHODS: A prospective and descriptive research design was used in the study, conducted between September 2015 and February 2016, and determined the prevalence of infiltration and extravasation and their characteristics. The study sample consisted of 297 peripheral catheters in 173 pediatric patients. RESULTS: Of 297 peripheral catheters, 50.8% were located on the right and 30.6% were inserted in the dorsal metacarpal vein. Infiltration and extravasation occurred in 2.9% and 2.3% of the patients, respectively. The prevalence of infiltration and extravasation was 5.5 and 4.4 per 1000 patient-days, respectively. The applied interventions after infiltration or extravasation included covering with a gauze dressing or alcohol-soaked cotton, cold application, irrigation with physiological saline, and elevation. CONCLUSION: The infiltration and extravasation prevalence were found to be high, but the interventions to address them were inadequate. Training and implementation strategies should be planned for pediatric nurses to prevent infiltration and extravasation.