SimSAARlabim study - The role magic tricks play in reducing pain and stress in children

Abstract

Background: Vaccination is an essential preventative medical intervention, but needle fear and injection pain may result in vaccination hesistancy. Study purpose: To assess the role of magic tricks – no trick vs. one trick („disappearing handkerchief trick“) vs. three tricks (“disappearing handkerchief trick“, “jumping rubber band trick“, and “disappearing ring trick“) – performed by a professional magician and pediatrician during routine vaccination in reducing discomfort/pain and the stress response (heart rate, visual analogue scale (VAS), and biomarkers (cortisol, Immunoglobulin A (IgA), α-amylase, and overall protein concentration in saliva before and after vaccination). Patients and methods: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) in healthy children aged 6–11 years undergoing routine vaccination in an outpatient setting. Results: 50 children (26 female) were enrolled (no trick: n = 17, 1 trick: n = 16, 3 tricks: n = 17) with a median age of 6.9 years (range: 5.3–10.8 years). We detected no significant differences among the three groups in their stress reponse (heart rate before and after vaccination and cortisol, IgA, α-amylase, and overall protein concentrations in saliva before and after vaccination) or regarding pain assessment using the VAS. Conclusions: Although children undergoing routine outpatient vaccination appeared to enjoy a magician’s presence, the concomitant performance of magic tricks revealed no significant effect on the stress response.