Cartoons vs. stress balls: which distracts kids from needle pain?

NCT ID NCT07417852

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 11, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This trial will test two simple distraction methods—watching cartoons or squeezing a stress ball—to see which reduces pain during blood draws in 120 children aged 4-12. Kids will be randomly assigned to one method, and pain will be measured right after the needle. The goal is to help nurses choose the best way to make blood draws less scary and painful.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
cartoon videos and stress balls
What this could lead to
If it works, this could give nurses a simple, drug-free way to make blood draws less painful for children.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage trial that hasn't started yet. The methods are simple distractions, so the effect on pain may be modest or vary by child.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Karbala Pediatric Teaching Hospital Al-Hussein Medical City Karbala, Iraq

    Karbala, Karbala Governorate, 0694, Iraq

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