title: Effect of distraction on children's pain during intravenous catheter insertion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effect of pressing a soft ball during intravenous catheter insertion (IVCI) on the intensity of pain in children ages 4-6 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this quasi-experimental study, children in the intervention group were asked to press a soft ball with the opposite hand during IVCI and to immediately mark the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference in the intensity of pain between the control group (n = 30) and the intervention group (n = 30; p =.012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pressing a soft ball during IVCI may be an easily accessed, inexpensive, and effective technique to control or reduce pain in young children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
authors.forename: Nooredin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shamshiri
authors.forename: Rafat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bagherzadeh
authors.forename: Navabeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hossinkhani
mesh_terms: D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010988:Play and Playthings