Promoting parental use of distraction and relaxation in pediatric oncology patients during invasive procedures.

Treatment of children with cancer involves many painful procedures. Invasive procedures such as bone marrow aspiration and lumbar punctures can be very traumatic, painful, and anxiety-producing for both parents and child. The use of distraction and relaxation techniques is a nonpharmacologic strategy to promote comfort and decrease anxiety and procedural pain. This article describes the development of a parent education booklet that promotes the use of distraction and relaxation techniques during invasive procedures across pediatric oncology inpatient and outpatient settings. Promoting parents' use of these techniques with their child can add to the parent and child's repertoire of coping skills that can be used throughout the course of their treatment or during other painful procedures. These techniques in combination with traditional methods of practice enhance quality patient care and significantly decrease the cost and risk associated with performing these procedures under general anesthesia. Copyright 2002 by Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses