Effectiveness of a Stress Ball-Based Distraction Technique on Pain Intensity during Intravenous Cannulation in Hospitalized Children Aged 6–12 Years in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Background: Needle-related procedures are among the most common sources of pain and distress in hospitalized children. Research evidence suggests that procedural pain can be effectively prevented and managed through appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions [1-3]. Distraction techniques have emerged as simple, cost-effective, and child-friendly strategies for reducing anxiety and pain during invasive procedures such as intravenous (IV) cannulation [4, 5]. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a distraction technique in reducing pain among children undergoing IV cannulation. The specific objectives were to assess pain levels before and after the intervention and to determine the association between post-test pain scores and selected demographic variables of children. Methodology: A true experimental post-test-only control group design was employed. The study was conducted among children aged 6–12 years admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. A total of 80 participants were selected through probability sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 40) or the control group (n = 40) using simple randomization. Children in the experimental group received distraction therapy during IV cannulation, whereas those in the control group received routine care. Pain intensity was measured immediately after the procedure using the FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) Scale.6 Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Children who received the stress ball-based distraction technique showed a significantly lower mean FLACC pain score (3.3 ± 1.4) compared to those in the control group (6.9 ± 1.6). There was a statistically significant difference (t = 10.73, df = 78, p < 0.001) between the groups, with a mean difference of 3.6 points. During intravenous cannulation, 19 (47.5%) children in the experimental group reported mild discomfort, 17 (42.5%) reported moderate pain, and only 4 (10.0%) reported severe pain. In contrast, 20 (50.0%) children in the control group had severe pain, 16 (40.0%) had moderate pain, and 4 (10.0%) had mild pain. Age, gender, father's education, mother's education, father's occupation, and mother's occupation did not significantly correlate with pain intensity (p > 0.05). However, among children in the experimental group, prior intravenous (IV) cannulation experience was statistically significantly associated with pain intensity (χ² = 10.79, p = 0.004). Conclusion: The study concludes that distraction therapy is an effective, non-pharmacological intervention for reducing pain during IV cannulation among children. Its simplicity, safety, and ease of implementation make it a valuable strategy in pediatric clinical practice. Integrating distraction techniques into routine nursing care may enhance comfort, minimize procedural distress, and improve the overall healthcare experience of children undergoing invasive procedures.