The Effect of Therapeutic Play on Children's Pain, Anxiety and Mothers' Anxiety during Pre- and Postcircumcision Period

Abstract

Purpose: The study was conducted to determine the effect of the therapeutic play method implemented on the pre- and postcircumcision pain and anxiety levels of children and mothers' anxiety levels in the pediatric surgery clinic.

Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Methods: The study consisted of children between the ages of 3 to 6 admitted to the pediatric surgery clinic and their mothers (N = 120; Therapeutic playgroup = 60, Control group = 60). As a therapeutic play method the children and their mothers used play dough during the structured conversation for about 10 minutes before and after the operation. A questionnaire, the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) pain scale, the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS) anxiety scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-S (STAI-S) anxiety scale for parents were used to collect data.

Findings: In the pre- and postcircumcision period, the pain and anxiety levels of children and mothers' anxiety levels in the therapeutic playgroup were statistically lower compared to the control group (P < .05). In the postoperative period, a positive and significance correlation was found between anxiety levels of the mothers and pain and anxiety levels of children in the control group (P < .05).

Conclusions: The therapeutic play method was effective in reducing the pain and anxiety levels of children and mothers' anxiety in the pre- and postcircumcision period.

Keywords: anxiety; circumcision surgery; pain; pediatric nursing; therapeutic play.