Current research in this area has investigated several types of non-invasive treatments to aid children in their needle phobia.
[4]" Bellieni et al performed a comprehensive study on active and passive distraction at the University of Siena, Italy.
[6] In the Journal of Holistic Nursing, Cavendar et al performed a study investigating the effect of parents as active distraction to the child.
[7]" The way parents act and react in situations where their child is undergoing venipuncture can have an effect on children and their fear of needles.
He observed that "negative experiences associated with immunization, laboratory work, dental visits, and other medical procedures can condition children … toward becoming fearful of needles."
[8] An article published in Nursing Forum by Ives et al outlined several helpful and unhelpful caregiver behaviors during venipuncture.
[9] Klieber found several helpful parent behaviors as a part of active distraction in his study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
These included using a calm voice, giving children permission to cry, remaining firm but not threatening, and using stickers to celebrate effort.
The researchers agreed that effective coaching and successful clinical visits involving venipuncture could provide children with an opportunity to practice and master "adaptive coping skills.
[1]" Kettwich et al of the Department of International Medicine of the University of New Mexico conducted an experiment published in the Journal of Family Practice comparing decorated and plain syringes (see picture).
The research hypothesis was that "adding decorative designs or stickers to medical devices before a procedure [would] significantly reduce aversion, fear, and anxiety…[in] needle-phobic patients."
The study defined "significant needle phobia" as an "aversion, fear, or anxiety score of greater than or equal to 5."
Gemma Murphy, a staff nurse at the neonatal unit of University College London Hospital, suggested that future research should investigate types of passive distraction other than cartoons and movies.
Murphy suggested studies comparing the effect of books, guided imagery, music, and virtual reality video glasses as other forms of passive distraction.