Effect of Cartoon and Storytelling on the Children's Fear and Anxiety Levels During Inhalation Therapy With Nebulizer in Emergency Department

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Child; Distraction Methods

• Registration Number: NCT07029633
• Lead Sponsor: Pamukkale University

Brief Summary

Inhalation therapy with a nebulizer is a non-invasive and easy-to-use technology. However, the use of masks and the loud, unpleasant sound of the nebulizer can cause fear and anxiety in children. For nebulizer inhalation therapy to be effective, it is important to reduce children's fear and anxiety and to increase their compliance with treatment. Simple and inexpensive distraction methods can be used to achieve this. The results show that cartoon and storytelling methods reduce fear and anxiety in children undergoing inhalation therapy with the nebulizer.

Detailed Description

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cartoons and storytelling during nebulizer inhalation treatment on procedure-related fear and anxiety in children. This randomized controlled study employed a 3-arm parallel design with 99 children aged 5-8 receiving nebulizer therapy in the pediatric emergency department. Groups 1 and 2 served as the experimental groups, while Group 3 acted as the control group, with no intervention addressing fear and anxiety. Group 1 utilized storytelling as a distraction, while Group 2 watched cartoons. Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Child Follow-Up Form, the Children's Anxiety Meter-State, and the Child Fear Scale.

In the study, parental presence was ensured during the procedure in all groups. For this reason, parents were informed, and their questions about inhalation treatment with nebulizers were answered before data collection to reduce parents' stress and anxiety in all groups and to prevent children from being affected by their parents' emotional situation. The parents were seated in a comfortable chair beside the children's bed.

Before the inhalation treatment with a nebulizer, the procedure was explained to the child according to the child's developmental level, the fear and anxiety levels of the children were evaluated, and their cardiorespiratory rates were measured. Then, inhalation therapy with a nebulizer was started. During the procedure, children's anxiety levels, crying situations, and cardiorespiratory rates were measured. After the procedure, the nebulizer was turned off, the mask was removed, and their faces were cleaned. The children's fear and anxiety levels were evaluated for the last time, and their cardiorespiratory rates were measured. The duration of the inhalation treatment was approximately 15 minutes.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-01-02
• Primary Completion: 2023-10-15
• Study Completion: 2023-10-30
• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-11
• Study First Posted: 2025-06-19
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 99

Inclusion Criteria

Children between 5 and 8 years old, who received inhalation therapy with a nebulizer for the first time, had no communication problems, and gave consent were included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Children who had vision, hearing, and comprehension problems, mental and neurological diseases, life-threatening diseases, those who used any medication with sedative effects, or those who refused interventions during nebule treatment were not included in the study.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
fear level	15-30 minute	The Child Fear Scale (CFS) was used children's fear level
anxiety level	15-30 minute	To determite anxiety level of children The Children's Anxiety Meter-State (CAM-S) was used.
crying duration	15-30 minute	The crying duration of the children during the procedure was measured and recorded by the researchers with a stopwatch.
Cardiorespiratory rates:	15-30 minute	Children's respiration rate was measured by observation, pulse rate and SPO2 levels were measured by finger pulse oximeter.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sibel Serap Ceylan; 🇹🇷 Denizli, Pamukkale, Turkey