Creating Mandalas for the Management of Acute Pain Symptoms in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

This randomized controlled clinical trial explored the feasibility of implementing a fast-acting mandala intervention to reduce physical pain and psychological anxiety experienced during needle sticks. Forty pediatric patients participated in this two-group study: 20 participants created a mandala on an iPad (Treatment Group) and 20 participants received standard care treatment (Control Group). Results indicated clinical feasibility of using the mandala during needle sticks. Physiological stress behaviors were significantly reduced in the Treatment Group, p = .03, compared with the Control Group. Psychological anxiety decreased significantly in Treatment Group participants, p = .04. These findings support the use of mandalas created on an iPad with pediatric patients undergoing acute pain procedures.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nora E. Stinley

Editor's Note: Nora E. Stinley is at Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, Deborah O. Norris is at American University, Washington, DC, and The Mindfulness Center, Bethesda, MD, and Pamela S. Hinds is at Children's National Health System, Washington, DC. Correspondence concerning this article may be addressed to the first author [email protected]