The Effect of Therapeutic Play on Children’s Pain, Anxiety and Mothers’ Anxiety during Pre- and Postcircumcision Period

Abstract

PurposeThe study was conducted to determine the effect of the therapeutic play method implemented on the pre- and post-circumcision pain and anxiety levels of children and mothers’ anxiety levels in pediatric surgery clinic. Design and methodsThis prospective, randomised clinical trial consisted of children between the ages of 3-6 admitted to the pediatric surgery clinic and their mothers (n=120) (Therapeutic playgroup = 60, Control group = 60). As a therapeutic play method; play dough was played with the children and their mothers during the structured conversation for about 10 minutes before and after the operation. A questionnaire, the “FLACC” pain scale, the “CEMS” anxiety scale and “STAI-I” anxiety scale for parents were used to collect data. FindingsIn the pre- and post-circumcision period, the pain and anxiety levels of children and mothers’ anxiety levels in the therapeutic play group were statistically lower compared to the control group (p<0,05). In the post-operative period, a positive and significance correlation was found between anxiety levels of the mothers and pain and anxiety levels of children in the control group (p <0,05). Concluions: It was determined that the therapeutic play method was effective in reducing the pain and anxiety levels of children and mothers’ anxiety in the pre- and post circumcision period. Practice implicationsTherapeutic play methods suitable for children's cognitive levels in reducing the pain and anxiety levels of children and their mothers' anxiety levels in the pre- and post-circumcision period.