Effect of Hand Puppet and Squeeze Toys on IV Placement in Pediatric Oncology Patients

NCT07493018 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: AkdenizUnOncology
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigates hand puppet and squeeze toy techniques to reduce fear, emotional distress, and procedure time, and improve IV catheter placement success in 90 pediatric hematology-oncology patients (ages 6-10). Participants will be randomized into three groups: hand puppet, squeeze toy, or control. Outcomes include fear, emotional expression, procedure duration, number of attempts, and first-attempt success.

Conditions

Pediatric Hematology; Pediatric Oncology

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Procedure duration

  Time from start to successful IV catheter placement.

  During procedure

• Number of IV catheter attempts:

  Recorded for each peripheral IV catheter placement.

  During the IV procedure

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Children's Fear Scale

  Measured before and immediately after IV catheter placement

• Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale

  During procedure

Study Arms (3)

Hand Puppet

EXPERIMENTAL

In this arm, an independent researcher will use a hand puppet with child-friendly animal or profession-themed designs, moving it to music during IV catheter placement to engage the child's attention. The child selects the puppet and interacts with it while another researcher collects data. This distraction aims to reduce fear, negative emotional responses, number of IV attempts, and procedure duration.

Other: Performing a Hand Puppet to Music

Squeeze Toy

EXPERIMENTAL

Children will receive a soft, colorful squeeze toy in their non-procedure hand during IV catheter placement. They will be encouraged to rhythmically squeeze and release the toy, which engages their attention. This distraction aims to reduce fear, negative emotional responses, number of IV attempts, and procedure duration.

Other: Hand Squeezing Soft Toy (Squishy)

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Children in the control group will receive standard peripheral IV catheter placement without any distraction techniques.

Interventions

Performing a Hand Puppet to Music OTHER

Children interact with a hand puppet chosen according to their preference during IV catheter placement. The puppet's playful movements and music aim to distract and reduce fear and emotional distress.

Hand Puppet

Hand Squeezing Soft Toy (Squishy) OTHER

Children will receive a soft, colorful squeeze toy in their non-procedure hand during IV catheter placement. They will be encouraged to rhythmically squeeze and release the toy, which engages their attention, reduces fear and distress, and helps them keep the procedure hand still. The toy is chosen by the child, hygienically managed, and given as a gift afterward. This simple, low-cost intervention aims to improve cooperation and IV placement success.

Squeeze Toy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 10 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 6-10 years with a pediatric hematology or oncology diagnosis.
• Cognitively able to understand instructions during the procedure.
• Require peripheral IV catheter placement as determined by the healthcare team.
• Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA) Score ≥4.
• Child and parent/guardian willing to participate.

You may not qualify if:

• Physical condition preventing use of a squeeze toy.
• Cognitive or developmental disorders preventing understanding of procedural instructions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Akdeniz University: lead

Related Publications (2)

• Gurcan M, Karatas N, Kaya A, Turan SA, Guler E. The effect of a pushing technique with normal saline on peripheral intravenous catheter placement success in paediatric haematology and oncology: A randomized controlled trial. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2024 Aug;71:102656. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102656. Epub 2024 Jul 2.

  PMID: 39002409 BACKGROUND

• Gerceker GO, Bektas I, Yardimci F. The effects of virtual reality and stress ball distraction on procedure-related emotional appearance, pain, fear, and anxiety during phlebotomy in children: A randomized controlled study. J Pediatr Nurs. 2024 Nov-Dec;79:197-204. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.08.029. Epub 2024 Sep 17.

  PMID: 39293201 BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Meltem Gürcan, PhD

CONTACT

+90 506 508 6214; meltemgurcan32@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD, Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 20, 2026
• First Posted: March 25, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share