Effect of combining oral glucose solutions with supportive positions on pain during heel puncture blood sampling in premature infants: A randomized quadruple-blinded experimental study.

PURPOSE: The trial aimed to assess the impact on pain scores of the administration of oral glucose solutions at different concentrations and in combination with supportive positions during heel puncture procedures. DESIGN & METHODS: This trial was structured as a quadruple-blinded experimental study conducted at a single center - a Level II and IVa NICU between June 2022-2023. Included in the study were 128 premature infants born with a gestational age of between 33 and 36 weeks and a postnatal age of <7 days. For the heel puncture procedures, four distinct interventions were employed, each involving supportive positions and oral solutions. All interventions were recorded on video for analysis, and data were collected using the "Infant Information and Observation Form" and "Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale (N-PASS)". The N-PASS was rated by two independent nurses. The data were analyzed with the two-way repeated measures ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni tests. RESULTS: The descriptive and clinical characteristics were similar in all groups (p > 0.05). The pain scores, physiological variables and total crying times of the premature infants differed significantly depending on the interventional groups and times, and the interaction between the groups and times (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combining glucose solutions with supportive positions led to a reduction in pain scores, a decrease in total crying time when compared to the use of supportive positions alone. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Combining an oral 20% glucose solution with supportive positions can be recommended to reduce pain during unplanned heel puncture procedures in the absence of a parent in the unit.

Effects of cartoon watching and bubble-blowing during venipuncture on pain, fear, and anxiety in children aged 6-8 years: A randomized experimental study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of bubble-blowing (active distraction) and cartoon watching (passive distraction) techniques on pain, anxiety, and fear during venipuncture in children aged 6-8 years. DESIGN AND METHODS: This experimental study randomly assigned 56 children aged 6-8 years to cartoon watching or bubble-blowing groups. The child, parent, and researcher assessed pain using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, anxiety using the Children's State Anxiety Scale, and fear using the Children's Fear Scale. The study data were analyzed using the Chi-square tests and independent Sample t-tests. RESULTS: The groups were similar in clinical and demographic characteristics. The scores on pain, anxiety, and fear during the procedure were lower in the cartoon watching group than in the bubble-blowing group (pain t(47) = 2.638, p = .013; anxiety t(47) = 2.358, p = .023; and fear t(47) = 2.784, p = .008). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that cartoon watching as a passive distraction method was more effective in reducing pain, anxiety, and fear during venipuncture in children aged 6-8 years compared to bubble-blowing as an active distraction method. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The cartoon watching technique, which is affordable, easy to access, and effective (in reducing pain, anxiety, and fear), can be safely used during venipuncture in children aged 6-8 years.