The effect of guided imagery on procedural pain in children: a randomized controlled trial

Pain poses a major health problem for children. There are many non-pharmacological methods that are successful at helping alleviate pain. This study aimed to explore how guided imagery affects pain experiences of children during venipuncture. The sample consisted of 150 children who were 8-12 years old. Our results indicate that pain scores and average heart rate of children in the guided imagery group were statistically lower than the control group's values. The mean oxygen saturation of the guided imagery group during and after venipuncture was higher when compared to the control group. The findings of the present study have suggested that guided imagery is effective at easing pain of children during venipuncture.