The use of lighted toys to reduce pain and fear during blood collection in children between 3 and 6 years

The present study determined the effect of the light toy on lowering pain and fear during blood collection in children.

It obtained data from 116 children and observed-

• The fear score average of the children in the lighted toy group was much lesser than the control group. 
• A statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the average fear score of the children. 
• On examining the difference between groups regarding the pain status of children, the pain level of children in the lighted toy group remained markedly lower than that of the children in the control group.

The findings of this study suggest that providing children with a lighted toy during blood collection can significantly decrease their fear and pain levels. These results also indicate that expensive distraction methods may not be necessary when a lighted toy can be just as effective. 

Therefore, it is recommended to increase the implementation of this low-cost and easily accessible method to distract children during blood collection.

Turgut MA, Türkmen SA. The effect of lighted toy on reducing pain and fear during blood collection in children between 3 and 6 years: A randomized control trial. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 2023;70:111-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2023.02.009.