La Pediatria medica e chirurgica : Medical and surgical pediatrics
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Videogame playing as distraction technique in course of venipuncture.
Needle-related procedures (venipuncture, intravenous cannulation) are the most common source of pain and distress for children. Reducing needle related pain and anxiety could be important in order to prevent further distress, especially for children needing multiple hospital admissions. The aim of the present open randomized controlled trial was to investigate the efficacy of adding an active distraction strategy (videogame) to EMLA premedication in needle-related pain in children. ⋯ Active distraction doesn't improve EMLA analgesia for iv cannulation and venipuncture. Even though, it resulted in an easily applicable strategy appreciated by children. This technique could be usefully investigated in other painful procedures.