The Effect of Using a Kaleidoscope During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Children With Cancer

This was a randomised controlled trial with 60 children aged 6-12 diagnosed with cancer who were placed either in a kaleidoscope group (n=30) or a control group (n=30). Each child's anxiety was evaluated by the child using the Child Fear Scale before, during and after a central venous catheter dressing procedure, and each child's pain during and after the procedure was evaluated by the child using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WB-FACES). Each child's heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured with a pulse oximeter device before, during and after central venous catheter dressing. The children in kaleidoscope group looked into the kaleidoscope and slowly turned it. This distraction procedure began immediately before the central venous catheter dressing and continued until it was finished. No intervention was performed to reduce pain and anxiety for children in the control group. Parents accompanied their children during the procedure in both groups.