Behavioral Responses of Preschool Children Undergoing Intravenous Injection Procedures after Applying Target Play

The purposes of this study were two fold: (1) to understand behavioral responses of preschool children undergoing intravenous injection procedures after applying target play; and (2) to analyze the possible factors predicting behavioral responses of preschool children undergoing intravenous injection procedures. A quantitative and experimental method with random selection was used for this study. Participants were sick children aged 3-6 years who received intravenous injection treatment. Forty-four children were recruited to an experimental (22 children) and control (22 children) group. Data were collected from both groups at three time points. The behavioral responses of children receiving intravenous injections were observed by the researcher. Intravenous puncture was performed three times by the same intravenous batter (IV nurse). Each intravenous injection took about 5-10 minutes. In the experimental group, in parallel with intravenous puncture, the researcher implemented target play and observed participants’ behavioral responses. Intravenous puncture, target play and observation took place in the pediatric injection rooms. After observation, the researcher offered the primary caregiver the findings of the observation of behavioral responses of their child during the intravenous puncture. A pamphlet on care tips was also explained and provided to the primary caregiver. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon sign rank test, Mann-Whitney test, general linear model, and regression analysis. SPSS 15.0 software was used for the data analysis. The results suggested that target play can significantly reduce the negative behavioral responses in children undergoing intravenous puncture treatment. Age and sex of children, accompaniment during intravenous puncture, and attitude of accompany adults were significantly related to the behavioral responses of children undergoing intravenous puncture. In the experimental group before intervention, the strength of the variables “age” and “previous experience of receiving a present after the injection” in the regression model of behavioral responses was 40.7%. After the intervention, the strength of “previous experience of receiving a present after the injection” in the regression model of behavioral responses was 33.9%. In addition, “decibels of crying” was also significantly positively correlated with behavioral response and was found to be a predictor of behavioral responses. Finally, there was a significant difference in behavioral response between the experimental group and control group post-test. Therefore I conclude that target play can effectively reduce negative behavioral responses in sick children receiving intravenous injection. The findings of the current study may offer a means by which pediatric nurses can reduce children’s anxiety during intravenous injection. The effects of applying target play in clinical practice need further research.