A Comparison of Nonpharmacologic Interventions on the Emotional State of Children in the Emergency Department

Objectives: the majority of children and adolescents presenting to the emergency department suffer and require painful procedures. This randomized study was to investigate the efficacy of three different nonpharmacologic interventions (Clowns, Dogs, and Musicians) to reduce pain and analyze the perception of positive and negative affects after the presence of these activities in a Short Stay Observation Unit (SSOU). Methods: participants were 105 children (54 males and 51 females; aged 3-16 years) assigned randomly to Experimental Group (EG) (N=57) that was composed by patients who were present in SSOU. They received one nonpharmacologic interventions: Clowns (n=18), Dogs (n=24), Musicians (n=15); or they were assigned to Control Group (CG) (N=48) which consists of the patients who were present in SSOU without the presence of non-pharmacologic interventions. Results: differences among groups did not emerge, in fact the three interventions have a similar influence in a different way on child’s wellbeing. No significant main effect about pain emerged for both Groups across age and gender. Conclusions: the presence of different nonpharmacologic interventions (Clowns, Dogs, and Musicians) seemed to empower positive affect in children but did not influence the self-reported pain.

Objectives The majority of children and adolescents presenting to the emergency department are in pain and require painful procedures. This randomized study was to investigate the efficacy of 3 different nonpharmacologic interventions (clowns, dogs, and musicians) to reduce pain and analyze the perception of positive and negative affects after the presence of these activities in a short-stay observation unit (SSOU). Methods Participants were composed of 105 children (54 boys and 51 girls; aged 3-16 years) assigned randomly to an experimental group (N = 57) that was composed of patients who were present in the SSOU. They received one of the following nonpharmacologic interventions: clowns (n = 18), dogs (n = 24), or musicians (n = 15) or they were assigned to a control group (CG) (N = 48) that consists of the patients who were present in the SSOU without the presence of nonpharmacologic interventions. Results Differences among the groups did not emerge; in fact, the 3 interventions have a similar influence in a different way on a child's well-being. No significant main effect about pain emerged for both groups across age and sex. Conclusions The presence of different nonpharmacologic interventions (clowns, dogs, and musicians) seemed to empower positive affect in children but did not influence the self-reported pain.