Is tablet-based interactive distraction effective on pain and anxiety during circumcision in children? A randomized controlled trial

Objective: Distraction is a nonpharmacological method commonly used during painful procedures in children. However, there are a few studies investigating the effectiveness of active distraction on pain and anxiety in children during circumcision. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of tablet-based interactive distraction on pain and anxiety in children during circumcision. Material and methods: To evaluate how tablet distraction could improve children’s outcomes during circumcision, a single-center, nonblinded, randomized controlled, parallel group trial research design was employed. In this study, 35 children were included in tablet distraction group, which have a control group (n = 35). The primary outcome measure was the Numeric Rating Scale for pain. Secondary outcome measure was the State-Trait Anxiety Scale for Children, and other outcome variables were physiological parameters and satisfaction levels. Results: During and after the surgical procedure, pain scores (P < .001, P < .001, respectively) and pulse rates (P < .001, P < .001, respectively) were significantly lower in the tablet distraction group, whereas O(2) saturation was higher than the control group (P < .001, P < .001, respectively). After the procedure, the anxiety scores were significantly lower in the tablet distraction group (P < .001), whereas the satisfaction scores were higher than control group (P < .001). Conclusion: This study concluded that the use of tablet distraction during circumcision has a positive effect on children’s pain, anxiety, satisfaction levels, and physiological parameters.