• Sherwood Burns-Nader, Stephanie Atencio, and Magdalena Chavez.
• Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA sburns@ches.ua.edu.
• Pain Med. 2016 Mar 1; 17 (3): 590-595.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a computer tablet as a distraction tool for minimizing pain and distress in children undergoing an injection.DesignUsing an experimental design, the subjects were randomly assigned to either participate in tablet distraction or receive no distraction during an injection.SettingA pediatric clinic in a small city in the Southeast region of the United States.SubjectsForty-one children, ages 4-11 years, who were receiving an immunization and their parents.MethodsDuring an injection, children either participated in distraction using a computer tablet or did not receive distraction according to their group assignment. Children's emotional response was assessed using a behavioral observation to examine distress. Pain was also measured using a behavior observation scale. After the injection, children reported the level of pain they felt during the injection.ResultsA significant difference was found for pain, both self-reported and observed, and observed emotions. Children receiving distraction using a tablet displayed significantly higher amounts of pain and negative emotions. Gender differences in pain and emotions were found with females having a significantly higher amount of pain and negative emotions.ConclusionsThe use of a tablet as a distraction was not effective in decreasing pain and distress in children receiving an injection.© 2015 American Academy of Pain Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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