Comparison of Selected Distraction Techniques to Alter Pain Responses among Children Receiving Immunization

Abstract

Background: Immunization plays a vital role in global health for children. Children should have taken routine immunization universally for the prevention of diseases. While receiving immunization, most children are experiencing pain and show anxiety and sadness. In this study, the more effective distraction techniques between toys and music was compared which will also be necessary to apply to children in the forthcoming. Objectives: 1) To assess the alter pain response by toys as a distraction technique among children receiving immunization. 2) To assess the alter pain response by music as a distraction technique among children receiving immunization. 3) To compare the alter pain responses by toys and music as a distraction technique among children receiving immunization. 4) To associate the alter pain responses with selected demographic variables. Methods and Materials: An interventional research approach was used in this study with experimental research design. 60 samples were selected by Simple Random Sampling Technique. A structured demographic questionnaire and FLACC Pain Scale were used to collect the data. Follow-up period was not required as the response of the pain in both groups were immediately assessed during immunization. Data were analyzed using SPSS Software 22.0 and Chi square was used to find the association between the alter pain responses with demographic variables. Results: The finding shows that the mean score of music was 4.33 with SD of ±1.32 when compared to toys 3.70 with SD of ±1.36. The measured ‘t’ value i.e. 2.07 was less than the tabulated value at 5% level of significance. Therefore, toys were more effective when compared to music as a distraction technique (P<0.05) to alter pain responses among children receiving immunization. There were no association between the alter pain responses with demographic variables. Conclusion: As toys were found to be more effective to alter pain responses than music, a related study can be conducted to compare the alter pain responses between male and female children during immunization. This study recommends that a similar study can be replicated to compare and analyze the distraction techniques between male and female to alter pain responses among children.