Effect of storytelling on reducing procedural distress among pediatric patients

TL;DR

Telling stories helps reduce stress in children during medical procedures by lowering heart rate and blood pressure.

Contribution

This study demonstrates storytelling as a low-cost, effective intervention for pediatric procedural distress.

Findings

Storytelling significantly reduced pulse rate, blood pressure, and temperature in children.

Improvement in SpO2 levels was observed after the storytelling session.

Storytelling is a culturally adaptable and safe adjunct to medical care for children.

Abstract

The effect of storytelling on physiological responses among children undergoing invasive medical procedures is of interest. Using a
one-group pre-test - post-test design, 41 children aged 3-12 years were assessed before and after a 15-20 minute storytelling session.
Data showed significant reductions in respiratory rate, pulse rate (108.56 → 96.34 bpm), systolic blood pressure (106.12 98.24
mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (68.37 → 62.45 mmHg) and temperature (37.46 → 37.12°C), along with improvement in
SpO2 (95.12% → 97.38%). These findings confirm that storytelling is an effective, low-cost and culturally adaptable
intervention to reduce procedural distress. Thus, we show the potential of incorporating storytelling into routine pediatric nursing
care as a safe adjunct to pharmacological approaches.