Sünnet Olan Çocuklarda Sağlık Bilmecelerinin Korku, Kaygı ve Ağrı Üzerine Olası Etkileri: Oyun Temelli ve Non-Farmakolojik Yaklaşımlara Yönelik Bir Derleme

Abstract

Bu derlemenin amacı, sünnet olan 3–6 yaş grubundaki çocuklarda sağlık temalı bilmecelerin korku, kaygı ve ağrı üzerindeki olası etkilerini incelemek ve bu yaklaşımı oyun temelli, non-farmakolojik müdahaleler bağlamında literatür doğrultusunda değerlendirmektir. Sünnet, dünya genelinde çocukluk döneminde sık uygulanan cerrahi girişimlerden biri olup, özellikle 3–6 yaş grubundaki çocuklarda korku, kaygı ve ağrı gibi olumsuz psikolojik ve fiziksel deneyimlerle ilişkilendirilmektedir. Bu durum, sünnet sürecinin yalnızca fiziksel etkileriyle sınırlı kalmayıp, aynı zamanda psikolojik boyutlarıyla birlikte ele alınmasının büyük önem taşıdığını göstermektedir. Literatürde, dikkat dağıtıcı tekniklerin sünnet sırasında ve sonrasında çocuklarda ağrı, korku ve kaygıyı anlamlı düzeyde azalttığı; terapötik oyun temelli yaklaşımların ise ameliyat öncesi ve sonrası kaygı ile tıbbi korkuların azaltılmasında etkili olduğu bildirilmektedir. Sanal gerçeklik uygulamaları, terapötik oyunlar, müzik terapisi, hikâye anlatımı, tablet tabanlı uygulamalar ve çeşitli görsel-işitsel teknikler pediatrik bakımda yaygın olarak kullanılan non-farmakolojik dikkat dağıtma yöntemleri arasında yer almaktadır. Ancak bu yöntemlerin önemli bir bölümü teknolojiye dayalı olup özel ekipman, teknik altyapı ve eğitimli personel gerektirmektedir. Buna karşılık, sözel ve oyun temelli dikkat dağıtıcı yöntemler arasında yer alan bilmeceler, çocukların dikkatini sürdürme, merak uyandırma ile kavramsal düşünme ve problem çözme becerilerini destekleyen etkili araçlar olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Bu bağlamda, sağlık ve sünnetle ilişkili bilmeceler; terapötik oyun ve dikkat dağıtma stratejilerini bütünleştiren, uygulanabilirliği yüksek ve maliyeti düşük yapılandırılmış bir non-farmakolojik yaklaşım olarak, çocukların duygusal tepkilerini düzenleme ve cerrahi sürece uyumu artırma potansiyeline sahip bir yöntem olarak öne çıkmaktadır.

Keywords

• Sünnet
• Çocuk
• Kaygı
• Ağrı
• Dikkat Dağıtma Teknikleri

Potential Effects of Health-Themed Riddles on Fear, Anxiety, and Pain in Circumcised Children: A Review of Game-Based and Non-Pharmacological Approaches

Abstract

The aim of this review is to examine the potential effects of health-themed riddles on fear, anxiety, and pain in children aged 3–6 years undergoing circumcision, and to evaluate this approach within the framework of game-based and non-pharmacological interventions in line with the existing literature. Circumcision is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures during childhood worldwide and is associated with negative psychological and physical experiences such as fear, anxiety, and pain, particularly in children aged 3–6 years. This highlights the importance of addressing the circumcision process not only in terms of its physical effects but also by considering its psychological dimensions. The literature indicates that distraction techniques significantly reduce pain, fear, and anxiety in children during and after circumcision, while therapeutic game-based approaches are effective in reducing preoperative and postoperative anxiety as well as medical fears. Virtual reality applications, therapeutic games, music therapy, storytelling, tablet-based applications, and various audiovisual techniques are among the non-pharmacological distraction methods commonly used in pediatric care. However, a substantial proportion of these methods are technology-based and require specialized equipment, technical infrastructure, and trained personnel. In contrast, riddles, as verbal and game-based distraction techniques, are considered effective tools that support children’s attention, stimulate curiosity, and enhance conceptual thinking and problem-solving skills. In this context, health- and circumcision-related riddles emerge as a structured, highly feasible, and low-cost non-pharmacological approach that integrates therapeutic play and distraction strategies, with the potential to regulate children’s emotional responses and improve adaptation to the surgical process.

Keywords

• Circumcision
• Child
• Anxiety
• Pain
• Distraction Techniques

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