The effect of a cognitive behavioural intervention package on peripheral venous cannulation pain, fear and anxiety in Paediatric patients: A randomised controlled trial

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of a cognitive behavioural intervention package (CBIP) on peripheral venous cannulation (PVC) pain, fear and anxiety in paediatric patients aged 7–12 years. Design and methods: This randomised controlled trial included 77 paediatric patients (intervention: n = 39 and control: n = 38). The control group underwent a routine PVC procedure, whereas the intervention group attended the CBIP while undergoing a PVC procedure. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Wong–Baker FACES (WB-FACES) Pain Rating Scale, the Children's Fear Scale (CFS) and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children–State Form (STAIC–State). The participants, their caregivers and the researcher scored PVC pain, fear and anxiety levels. The study was approved by an ethics committee. Informed consent was obtained from caregivers, and verbal consent was obtained from children. Results: No significant difference in pre-procedural CFS scores were noted between the CBIP and control groups (p > 0.05). However, the CBIP group had significantly lower mean procedural pain (VAS and WB-FACES), fear (CFS) and anxiety (STAIC–State) scores than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The CBIP helped children experience less PVC pain, fear and anxiety. Practice implications: Nurses can use the CBIP to help reduce PVC pain, fear and anxiety in children. Clinical trials registration: The study was registered at Clinical-Trials.gov (NCT06018909).