Investigating the Impact of the Pop It Game on Fear Associated with Venipuncture in Children Aged ۳-۶ Years Admitted to the Emergency Department of Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital, Rafsanjan, ۲۰۲۵

Introduction: Venipuncture is a frequent and distressing procedure for children in clinical settings, often leading to significant fear that can negatively affect their well-being. Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly distraction strategies, are widely recognized as effective for mitigating anxiety in this population. Recognizing that children primarily process emotions through play, the use of toys has become a valuable nursing approach. The Pop It toy has gained attention for its potential to enhance focus and reduce anxiety. Given the lack of prior research on the specific effect of the Pop It game on fear during venipuncture, this study was designed to explore its impact on children aged ۳ to ۶. ۲. Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study used a two-group design (intervention and control) in children aged ۳-۶ admitted to the emergency ward of Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=۳۷) or the control group (n=۳۶). In the intervention group, children played with a Pop It toy for five minutes during venipuncture. The control group received five minutes of rest before undergoing the same procedure. Fear was measured using a validated fear scale, and data were analyzed with non-parametric tests, including the Mann-Whitney U test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. ۳. Results: Demographic analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P ۰.۰۵), confirming their homogeneity at baseline. Prior to the intervention, mean fear scores were not significantly different between the groups (P ۰.۹۷). However, following the Pop It intervention, fear scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than in the control group (P ۰.۰۰۱). A within-group analysis showed a significant reduction in fear scores over time within the intervention group, while scores in the control group showed a significant increase. ۴. Conclusion and Discussion: This study suggests that the Pop It game is a highly effective distraction technique for reducing fear during venipuncture in young children. These results are consistent with literature on non-pharmacological interventions for procedural distress. The observed decrease in fear has the potential to improve children's experiences with medical procedures and enhance their cooperation with healthcare providers. Given its effectiveness, the use of the Pop It game is recommended as a standard nursing practice in pediatric and emergency care settings.