Abstract:
Distraction techniques can be successful in reducing the discomfort and anxiety
children sometimes feel when experiencing medical procedures. The purpose of this
study was to examine the effectiveness of an iPad as a distraction tool. Ten preschool age
children participated in an ice pack procedure three times; once with no distraction, once
while watching a cartoon (passive distraction), and once while interacting with an iPad
(active distraction). Distraction type was randomly sequenced for each child. Children
were timed to determine how long they could tolerate an ice pack on their foot for three
trials. Although the results suggested that active and passive distraction techniques helped
children tolerate discomfort for a longer amount of time than no distraction, the
differences were not statistically significant. Active distraction helped children to tolerate
discomfort for the longest amount of time.
