The Effectiveness of Bubble-Blowing as a Distraction Technique During Pediatric Intravenous Cannulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Intravenous cannulation is a standard but potentially painful procedure. Distraction techniques can alleviate this discomfort by shifting attention from perceived pain. Bubble-blowing is an active distraction technique that combines breathing exercises and play therapy to alleviate pain and anxiety.

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of bubble-blowing versus video-watching in reducing pain during and anxiety before pediatric intravenous cannulation.

Methods: This ethically approved, randomized controlled trial assigned 2- to 5-year-old participants to bubble-blowing or video-watching groups during their intravenous cannulations in the medical imaging department. Patients who were non-verbal, did not have an awake intravenous cannulation, received premedication, or had topical anesthetic for < 30 min were excluded. The Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability scale rated pain before, during, and after intravenous cannulation. The modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety-Short Form rated anxiety immediately following parental consent (baseline) and before intravenous cannulation.

Results: Data from 120 participants (60 females, median [interquartile range] age 3.8 [2.9-4.4] years) were available. Of these, 105 participants underwent intravenous cannulation and were included in the analysis. Pain scores during intravenous cannulation were 2.0 [0.0-7.0] in the video-watching and 2.0 [0.0-5.0] in the bubble-blowing group; median difference 0.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) -1.0 to 1.0), p = 0.888. Anxiety scores before intravenous cannulation were 36.5 [22.9-63.4] in the video-watching and 27.1 [22.9-52.1] in the bubble-blowing group; median difference 0.0 (95% CI -10.4 to 0.0), p = 0.178. Pain during intravenous cannulation increased in 29/52 (56%) children in the video-watching and 30/53 (57%) in the bubble-blowing group; odds ratio 0.97 (95% CI 0.42-2.24), p > 0.999. Anxiety increased in 27/52 (52%) children in the video-watching and 16/53 (30%) in the bubble-blowing group; odds ratio 2.48 (95% CI 1.04-6.02), p = 0.030.

Conclusion: The use of bubble-blowing as a distraction did not significantly reduce pain during or anxiety before IV cannulation compared to video-watching. However, further research is needed to explore whether active distraction techniques could be beneficial for young, neurodiverse, anxious, or fearful children.

Trials registration: This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05899452; June 12, 2023).

Keywords: anesthesia; anxiety; care; child; pain; preoperative.