The findings are important for pediatric healthcare because IV insertion is frequently associated with pain, anxiety, and fear among young children. These emotional responses can make medical procedures more difficult for healthcare providers and more stressful for families. The study suggests that cartoon video distraction therapy offers a low-cost, safe, and practical solution that hospitals can easily implement.
Why Pain Management Matters in Children
Children between three and six years old are still developing their emotional regulation and coping abilities. Hospitalization often exposes them to unfamiliar environments, medical equipment, and invasive procedures that can trigger distress.
Among these procedures, IV insertion is one of the most commonly performed. The insertion of a needle into a vein can cause immediate pain and discomfort, leading many children to cry, resist treatment, or become fearful of future medical care.
Poorly managed pain can have consequences beyond the procedure itself. Previous research has shown that repeated painful experiences may increase anxiety, reduce cooperation during treatment, and negatively affect a child's overall hospital experience.
Healthcare professionals have therefore been searching for non-pharmacological methods to reduce pain without adding medications or creating additional risks.
Testing the Effect of Cartoon Video Distraction
To evaluate whether cartoon videos could help reduce pain during IV insertion, the researchers conducted an experimental study at Kajen Regional General Hospital in Pekalongan Regency.
The study involved 60 preschool-aged children receiving inpatient care. Participants were divided into two groups:
- Intervention group: 30 children watched a cartoon video for approximately two to four minutes before and during IV insertion.
- Control group: 30 children received standard care without cartoon video distraction.
Pain levels were assessed using the FLACC scale, a widely used observational tool that evaluates pain based on facial expression, leg movement, activity, crying, and consolability.
The researchers then compared pain scores between the two groups using statistical analysis.
Significant Reduction in Pain Levels
The results revealed a clear difference between children who watched cartoons and those who did not.
Among children who received cartoon video distraction therapy:
- 43.3% experienced mild pain.
- 56.7% experienced moderate pain.
- No children experienced severe pain.
Among children who received standard care only:
- 20% experienced mild pain.
- 80% experienced moderate pain.
- No severe pain cases were recorded, but overall pain levels were higher.
Statistical analysis produced a p-value of 0.003, indicating a significant difference between the intervention and control groups.
The researchers concluded that cartoon video distraction therapy effectively reduced pain perception during IV insertion procedures.
Children who watched cartoons were generally calmer and demonstrated lower levels of discomfort than those who underwent the procedure without distraction.
How Cartoons Help Reduce Pain
The effectiveness of cartoon videos is linked to the way the brain processes attention and pain.
When children focus on engaging visual and audio content, their attention shifts away from the painful stimulus. This competition for attention can reduce the intensity of pain signals perceived by the brain.
The colorful images, familiar characters, and entertaining storylines of cartoons provide positive sensory stimulation that helps children remain engaged throughout the procedure.
According to the researchers from Widya Husada University Semarang, audiovisual distraction creates a more comfortable environment for children, helping them stay calm and cooperative during invasive medical procedures.
The study also found that children who received distraction therapy showed fewer behavioral signs of distress, such as crying, facial grimacing, and resistance during IV insertion.
Benefits for Hospitals, Nurses, and Families
The findings have practical implications for pediatric healthcare services.
Unlike medication-based pain management approaches, cartoon video distraction therapy is:
- Non-invasive
- Easy to implement
- Low-cost
- Free from medication-related side effects
- Suitable for repeated use
Hospitals can introduce the intervention using devices that are already widely available, including smartphones, tablets, or televisions.
For nurses, the technique supports the principles of atraumatic care, an approach that seeks to minimize pain, fear, and psychological stress during treatment. More cooperative children can also make procedures faster and easier to perform.
Parents may benefit as well. The study highlights the importance of emotional support during medical procedures. Allowing children to watch favorite cartoons while receiving treatment may help reduce both pain and anxiety.
The researchers recommend integrating cartoon video distraction therapy into pediatric nursing protocols, particularly during procedures such as IV insertion that commonly cause discomfort.
Research Insight
Rahayu Winarti and Kamelia Milatin of Widya Husada University Semarang emphasize that audiovisual distraction can serve as an effective complementary intervention in pediatric nursing care.
Their findings indicate that directing a child's attention toward enjoyable visual experiences can significantly reduce pain perception while improving cooperation during medical treatment.
The researchers suggest that healthcare institutions consider incorporating cartoon video distraction into standard pediatric care practices to improve patient comfort and overall service quality.
Author Profile
Rahayu Winarti is a lecturer and researcher at Widya Husada University Semarang. Her research focuses on pediatric nursing, pain management, child health, and evidence-based nursing interventions.
Kamelia Milatin is a nursing academic and researcher at Widya Husada University Semarang specializing in clinical nursing practice, pediatric healthcare, and patient-centered nursing innovation.
Source
Article Title: The Effect of Cartoon Video Distraction Therapy on Pain Levels in Preschool Children During IV Insertion at Kajen Regional General Hospital, Pekalongan Regency
Authors: Rahayu Winarti, Kamelia Milatin
Journal: Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (FJMR)
Year: 2026
Volume: 5, Issue 5
Pages: 1349–1360
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