A study to assess the effectiveness of stress ball distraction technique on pain and anxiety among children undergoing phlebotomy at selected tertiary care hospital mangalore

Pain and anxiety are common concerns among children undergoing medical procedures, particularly phlebotomy, which involves the insertion of a needle for blood collection. This procedure can cause significant emotional distress and physiological discomfort, often leading to crying, resistance, and fear. Repeated exposure to painful medical experiences may result in needle phobia, avoidance behaviours, and heightened anxiety in future healthcare interactions. Therefore, implementing effective non-pharmacological interventions is essential to alleviate distress and improve the overall experience of paediatric patients. A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test control group design will be adopted for this study. A non-probability purposive sampling technique will be employed to select 60 children who belong to the age group of 11-17 years The study will utilize structured data collection tools, including a demographic proforma, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale, and Novel visual facial anxiety scale, to assess the pain and anxiety levels. Data will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from this study are expected to provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating distraction techniques into routine paediatric care, improving the overall healthcare experience for children.