Distraction Cards vs Emotion-Regulation Toy Squeezing During Vaccination for Preschoolers

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

In a single-center, randomized design, 68 children aged 4–7 years scheduled for an intramuscular tetanus vaccination are assigned to either distraction cards or emotion-regulation toy squeezing during the procedure. Pain is measured with the Wong-Baker FACES scale and fear with the Children's Fear Scale before, during, and after the injection. The environment is standardized to minimize external influences, and a pediatric-experienced nurse administers the vaccination in a quiet, child-friendly room. Parental presence is allowed, and the same clinician ideally treats children across groups. Results will indicate which non-pharmacologic approach more effectively reduces procedural pain and fear in young children.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Child aged 4-7 years
* Child with need or plan for intramuscular vaccination

Exclusion Criteria:

* Child with a neurodegenerative disease, mental retardation, vision and hearing problems, chronic, life-threatening (sepsis, shock, respiratory / cardiac arrest) or genetic disease
* Child with use of opioids, narcotics, analgesics or sedatives in the last 24 hours before the procedure

Where it's running

• Mersin University Hospital
  Mersin, Province, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: GUZIDE UGUCU, RN, MScN, PhD — Mersin University

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.