The Effect of Cartoon Character-Printed Band Use During Burn Dressing on Fear, Stress, Pain, and Physiological Parameters in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of using cartoon character-printed medical bands during burn dressing procedures on children's fear, stress, pain, and physiological parameters. Burn dressing is often a distressing and painful procedure for pediatric patients, which may lead to increased anxiety, physiological instability, and negative treatment experiences. In this study, child-friendly cartoon-printed adhesive bands are used as a non-pharmacological intervention to provide distraction and emotional comfort during burn dressing. By incorporating familiar and visually engaging designs, the intervention seeks to reduce children's perception of pain, alleviate stress, and improve physiological stability (heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate) during the procedure. Participants will include children aged 7-11 years receiving burn care in a pediatric burn unit. They will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (cartoon-printed band use) or the control group (standard plain band use). Fear, pain, and stress will be assessed using validated scales before, during, and after the dressing procedure. Physiological parameters will be measured using a pulse oximeter. The study is expected to contribute to the development of child-centered, non-pharmacological methods that make medical procedures less stressful and more tolerable for pediatric patients. Results may guide the design of more comforting and engaging treatment environments in pediatric burn care.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 6 to 11 years at the time of enrollment. * Hospitalized children diagnosed with superficial partial-thickness or deep partial-thickness burns (second-degree burns). * Total Burned Body Surface Area (TBSA) ≤ 10%, calculated using the Rule of Nines or Lund-Browder chart. * Burn location limited to upper extremities, lower extremities, or trunk. * Scheduled to undergo routine burn dressing procedures in the pediatric ward. * Ability of the child to communicate pain and anxiety verbally. * Written informed consent obtained from parent or legal guardian, and assent from the child when appropriate. Exclusion Criteria: * Children with full-thickness (third-degree) or fourth-degree burns. * Burns involving the face, scalp, neck, or genital region. * TBSA \> 10%. * Presence of cognitive impairment, developmental delay, or neurological disorder that may interfere with outcome assessment. * Presence of chronic pain conditions or regular use of analgesics unrela