Effectiveness of flash of light as a distraction technique on level of pain among hospitalized children undergoing IV cannulation at selected hospital, Bangalore

Abstract

ain is a stressful experience that is considered to be a global health problem, and children are the most vulnerable and under-served population. Intravenous cannulation is a distressing and painful procedure for patients. It causes moderate or severe pain in a substantial number of children.There are numerous pain reduction methods for children undergoing venipuncture, these are not widely used due to the increased time it takes for implementation or their cost and availability in medical offices/hospitals. Many non-pharmacological techniques such as distraction, guided imagery,virtual reality glasses, cartoon, non-procedural talk and cutaneous stimulation provides coping strategies that may help to reduce pain. In fact distraction is the most common non pharmacological technique utilized by parents and health care professionals to decrease pain among children.