Goldfish or aquatic turtle? Impact of two animal assisted interventions on children's pain, anxiety, and fear during IV catheterization: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of goldfish and aquatic turtle nursing interventions on children's pain, anxiety, and fear during IV catheter insertion.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

The randomized controlled trial included 98 children (control group = 32, goldfish group = 33, aquatic turtle group = 33) aged 5-6 years, attending outpatient clinic for blood sampling and catheterisation procedures. Pain was measured using the Wong Baker Facial Pain Scale, anxiety was measured using the Child Anxiety Scale-State, and child fear was measured using the Child Fear Scale, before, during, and after catheterization.

RESULTS

When analyzing the pain, anxiety, and fear findings, no statistical difference was found between the scores of the mother, child, and researcher before the procedure. During the catheterization procedure, the pain, anxiety, and fear scores of the children in the fish and turtle groups increased statistically less than those in the control group. When analyzing the post-procedure findings, the pain, anxiety, and fear scores of the control group were similar to those before the procedure. In the fish and turtle groups, anxiety and fear scores were statistically the lowest (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that animal-assisted practices reduce anxiety and fear during and after the catheterization procedures while diverting attention from pain.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Goldfish or aquatic turtle intervention improve children's attitudes toward pain, anxiety, and fear during IV catheter insertion. Pediatric nurses could consider incorporating, such as the animal assisted intervention, into their clinical practice to reduce the pain, anxiety, and fear experienced by children during medical/nursing procedures.