Animated video reduces pain and anxiety during pin removal in children with supracondylar humerus fractures: a randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study; is to determine the level of pain and anxiety experienced by pediatric patients with operated humeral supracondylar fractures during pin removal, and to investigate the effectiveness of animated video impressions.

This randomized controlled study included 180 patients aged between 4 and 12 years. The patients were divided into four groups: Group 1—control; Group 2—watched the introductory animation video before the procedure; Group 3—using analgesic before the procedure (ibuprofen 10 mg/kg); Group 4—watched the introductory animation video and used analgesic before the procedure. To assess pain before randomization, before-during-after procedure, and at outpatient clinic controls; the Wong-Baker Pain Scale (WBS), modified CHEOPS (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale), and the child's heart rate were used. To assess anxiety; the Children's Anxiety Meter (CAM), The Short State Anxiety Inventory Scale (SAIS), and The Children's Emotion Management Scales (CEMS) were used.

While a significant difference was detected between the groups in the tests performed at certain intervals (p < 0.001), no significant difference was detected between Groups 1–3 and Groups 2–4. The Modified CHEOPS and CEMS values obtained during the procedure showed significant variability between the groups (p < 0.001). Similarly, While a significant difference was detected between the groups in the WBS scores measured during the procedure (p < 0.001), it was observed that there was no significant relationship between Groups 1–3 and Groups 2–4 (p = 0.892, p = 0.820).

Watching an introductory animated video before pin removal is an effective method to relieve the anxiety and pain felt in children with supracondylar fractures.