This was a randomised controlled trial with 60 children aged 6-12 diagnosed with cancer who were placed either in a kaleidoscope group (n=30) or a control group (n=30). Each child's anxiety was evaluated by the child using the Child Fear Scale before, during and after a central venous catheter dressing procedure, and each child's pain during and after the procedure was evaluated by the child using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WB-FACES). Each child's heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured with a pulse oximeter device before, during and after central venous catheter dressing.~The children in kaleidoscope group looked into the kaleidoscope and slowly turned it. This distraction procedure began immediately before the central venous catheter dressing and continued until it was finished.~No intervention was performed to reduce pain and anxiety for children in the control group.~Parents accompanied their children during the procedure in both groups.
Many medical interventions, including the dressing of central venous catheters, a common procedure used for children with cancer, cause anxiety and pain in children. This can adversely affect their care and recovery. This study aims to determine the effect of using a kaleidoscope during central venous catheter dressing on anxiety and pain in children with cancer.