The Effect of Hologram Application on Pain, Anxiety, and Fear Levels in Children During Burn Dressing

Overview

The process of dressing burn injuries has been shown to cause both physical and psychological difficulties. In children, this process is particularly associated with intense pain and anxiety. Consequently, in addition to pharmacological interventions, non-pharmacological methods such as distraction are employed. In recent years, the utilization of holograms as a method of alleviating pain has emerged as a novel approach. The employment of these visual illusions has been demonstrated to effectively distract children, thereby providing a means of reducing discomfort. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the effects of hologram application on pain, anxiety, fear, and vital signs during burn dressing in children.

Burns are defined as traumas caused by damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. The severity of these injuries can range from superficial dermal damage to deep tissue loss. Burns inflict physical harm and can also cause significant psychological distress, including anxiety and fear, particularly in children. The administration of dressing procedures during the post-burn treatment process is a particularly challenging aspect for pediatric patients, often accompanied by significant anxiety and discomfort. Consequently, interventions that target both physical and psychological relaxation are necessary during the treatment process. Among the technologies developed for the purpose of distraction in recent years, hologram fans are particularly noteworthy. The creation of three-dimensional visualizations by hologram fans utilizes LED lights strategically positioned on high-speed rotating propeller blades, resulting in the presentation of realistic images to the viewer, seemingly suspended in the air. This visual illusion has the potential to mitigate the discomfort and anxiety associated with medical procedures, particularly by capturing the attention of children. Research has demonstrated that the presence of hologram enthusiasts during pediatric medical procedures, such as blood draws, has been shown to reduce levels of fear and stress in children. However, the efficacy of these materials in applications requiring extended use and high levels of discomfort, such as burn dressings, remains to be adequately examined through scientific research. This randomized controlled experimental study will examine the effect of a hologram fan application on pain, anxiety, and fear levels in pediatric burn patients receiving dressing changes. The study will be conducted with children between the ages of 3 and 12 who are receiving burn treatment in the hospital and require dressings. Those who meet the sampling criteria will be randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group will receive a hologram fan display during dressing, while the control group will not receive any distracting method. Children in both groups will have their pain, anxiety, and fear levels measured before, during, and after dressing. Additionally, their basic vital signs, such as pulse and respiration, will be recorded during each dressing application.