Effect of Distraction Technique and Environmental Design on Fear of Intravenous Fluid Administration in Preschool Aged Children

Abstract

Intravenous fluid administration is a nursing intervention faced by hospitalized children patients that resulting in fear particularly in preschool aged children. This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare the effect of intravenous fluid administration using conventional technique and using distraction technique with environmental design on fear in preschool aged children. Subjects were 80 children with ages ranged from 3 to 6 year old. They were administered with intravenous fluid and were divided into two groups: control and experimental groups. Control group received conventional intravenous fluid administered and experimental group received distraction technique and environment design modification method. Instruments used were: data recording form, observing fear behavioral observation form, and interview questionnaires on caregiver’s satisfaction. Data were analyzed using independent t-test. Results revealed that the experimental group had a statistical significant lower level of fear than the control group (p<.05) and the caregivers of the experimental group had a statistical significant higher satisfaction than the caregivers of the control group (p<.05).  This study suggested that using distraction technique with environmental design could reduce fear among preschool aged children receiving intravenous fluid and increase satisfaction among caregivers.