Clinical Research

The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Volume: 19 Number: 2 April 14, 2026
TR EN

The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of watching cartoons on relieving pain and anxiety during central venous catheter (CVC) dressing changes in pediatric oncology patients. Data Sources: A parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 pediatric oncology patients between 5 and 12 years old. Children were randomly allocated to two groups: cartoon (n = 40) and control (n = 40). Children self-reported their pain using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and their anxiety using the Children’s Fear Scale. Children’s oxygen saturation and heart rate were evaluated using a pulse oximeter device. The clinical trial registration number of the study is NCT05301374. Conclusion: Children’s pain and anxiety scores, and heart rates were significantly lower in the cartoon group compared to the control group during and after the procedure. However, no significant difference was seen in oxygen saturation values between the two groups. Implications for Nursing Practice: This study demonstrated that watching cartoons during CVC dressing changes in pediatric oncology patients is effective on relieving pain and anxiety. Nurses can use the cartoon distraction method to help relieve procedure-related pain an anxiety in children during CVC dressing changes.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was obtained from the Akdeniz university clinical research ethics committee (Date: 18.08.2021, Decision No: KAEK-610), before commencing the study. Written permission was obtained from the hospital where the study was performed. The children and their parent were informed about the study. Children and their parent were also informed that they could withdraw from the study at any time without explanation and their verbal and written consents were obtained. This study was registered in the Clinical Trial Registry (NCT05301374). All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards and with the Helsinki Declaration

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pediatric Health and Illnesses Nursing

Journal Section

Clinical Research

Publication Date

April 14, 2026

Submission Date

December 6, 2024

Acceptance Date

April 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 19 Number: 2

APA
Bekar, P., Erkul, M., & Efe, E. (2026). The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi, 19(2), 257-268. https://doi.org/10.46483/jnef.1597512
AMA
1.Bekar P, Erkul M, Efe E. The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JNEF. 2026;19(2):257-268. doi:10.46483/jnef.1597512
Chicago
Bekar, Pınar, Münevver Erkul, and Emine Efe. 2026. “The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi 19 (2): 257-68. https://doi.org/10.46483/jnef.1597512.
EndNote
Bekar P, Erkul M, Efe E (April 1, 2026) The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi 19 2 257–268.
IEEE
[1]P. Bekar, M. Erkul, and E. Efe, “The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial”, JNEF, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 257–268, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.46483/jnef.1597512.
ISNAD
Bekar, Pınar - Erkul, Münevver - Efe, Emine. “The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi 19/2 (April 1, 2026): 257-268. https://doi.org/10.46483/jnef.1597512.
JAMA
1.Bekar P, Erkul M, Efe E. The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JNEF. 2026;19:257–268.
MLA
Bekar, Pınar, et al. “The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Etkili Hemşirelik Dergisi, vol. 19, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 257-68, doi:10.46483/jnef.1597512.
Vancouver
1.Pınar Bekar, Münevver Erkul, Emine Efe. The Effect of Watching Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety During Central Venous Catheter Dressing Changes in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JNEF. 2026 Apr. 1;19(2):257-68. doi:10.46483/jnef.1597512

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