Non-pharmacological interventions to reduce procedural needle pain in children (6-12 years): A systematic review

Problem: Children of different age groups frequently undergo painful procedures involving needles, which can be a source of significant discomfort. Regrettably, this aspect of care often receives insufficient attention from healthcare professionals. The existing literature proposes several methodologies for managing procedural pain, with nonpharmacological techniques being particularly promising. These techniques should be adapted to the patient's age, but literature predominantly emphasizes their use with infants. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate their effectiveness in diverse age groups. Consequently, the purpose of this systematic review is to identify non-pharmacological interventions used to prevent needle-related procedural pain in children (age group 6-12 years). Eligibility criteria: Primary studies in English language on non-pharmacological interventions in children aged 6-12 years undergoing needle-related procedures found on PubMed, CINAHL and Embase. Sample: A total of 18 studies were included. Results: The results indicate the potential application of various non-pharmacological techniques, with distraction methods standing out. These techniques include activities like utilizing cards, watching cartoons, employing virtual reality and playing video games. Conclusions: Children's procedural pain represents a significant challenge in treatment plans. Literature offers several approaches, including nonpharmacologic methods, to control this problem. Prioritizing procedural pain management is critical both at clinical and organizational levels to improve the quality of pediatric care. Implications: These findings offer different options to support clinical practice, holding the potential to enhance the quality of patient care.