NURSING INTERVENTIONS THAT REDUCE ANXIETY IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS: A SCOPING REVIEW PROTOCOL

Introduction: Pediatric hospitalization generates anxiety and stress in millions of children, altering their recovery. The nursing professional is key to mitigating this impact through non-pharmacological interventions backed by the Betty Neuman Systems Model. Due to the lack of established protocols, this scoping review is justified by the need to review current evidence to seek ways to improve care and humanize pediatric attention. Objective: To map the available evidence on non-pharmacological nursing interventions that decrease anxiety levels in hospitalized pediatric patients. Method: Protocol developed under PRISMA-ScR, including quantitative, qualitative, or mixed studies (2021-2026). The databases to be used are PubMed, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar, applying MeSH and DeCS descriptors. Two reviewers will independently select articles and extract data into a matrix prepared according to Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Keywords: Nursing care, Anxiety, Hospitalized child, Pediatric nursing, Child health.