Efficacy of Cartoon Viewing Devices During Phlebotomy in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of different cartoon viewing devices during phlebotomy in children. Design This study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Methods The study included inpatients from the Biochemical Laboratory of a private university hospital in Turkey and was conducted between September 2017 and April 2018. A computer-based random number generator was used to randomly assign the patients into three groups (virtual reality [VR], tablet, and control) with 40 children each. Data were collected using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and the Children's Fear Scale. Pain and anxiety scores were reported by children, parents, and observers in tablet and control groups. In the VR group, pain and anxiety were determined only by children's reports. Findings According to the children reports, the VR group reported significantly less pain and anxiety than those in the tablet and control groups (P  Conclusions The cartoon distraction performed using a VR device reduced the perception of pain and anxiety during phlebotomy in school-age children.