Aim

This study was conducted as a randomized controlled study to investigate the effect of procedural cartoons displayed before echocardiography and kaleidoscope display during the procedure on anxiety in children aged 5–12 years.

Methods

The study was completed with 164 children aged 5–12 years who were admitted for echocardiography. The study was conducted with four groups: cartoons group, kaleidoscope group, cartoons + kaleidoscope group, and control group. Data were collected using a follow-up form and the Children's Fear Scale.

Results

The results showed that the cartoons, kaleidoscope, and cartoons + kaleidoscope groups had lower anxiety scores during the procedure than during the preprocedural period (p < .001). In the control group, there was no significant difference between anxiety scores before the procedure and during the procedure (p > .05).

Conclusion

The present study concluded that cartoon display for preparing children aged 5–12 years or distracting them during the procedure using a kaleidoscope was effective in reducing their anxiety.