14 Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences • January 2015 (Volume 1, Issue 1) Abstract Introduction: Intravenous (IV) cannulation is a common procedure done in hospitals. Although it is an essential procedure providing easy access for IV hydration or medication, its insertion leads to pain, anxiety and distress in children. The study was undertaken with the objective of comparing the effectiveness of video assisted diversional (VAD) therapy and application of local anaesthetic (LA) agent on pain relief, behavioural response and physiological parameters among children. Methods: The study was done using an experimental post-test only control group design. The participants were randomized to one of the three groups, with 25 subjects in each group: experimental group 1 received video assisted diversional therapy (VAD), experimental group 2 received local anaesthetic agent (LA), and the control group received only standard care. Results: The post intervention pain scores in the VAD and LA group were lesser than those of the control group. There was no significant difference between the two intervention groups. In case of behavioural response, the VAD group showed a significant reduction of behavioural distress than the LA and control groups. In case of physiological parameters, a significant difference was seen in the rate of respiration during and post cannulation in the VAD group. Both, VAD and LA groups showed a reduction in the systolic blood pressure post cannulation. Conclusion: The study concludes that the VAD therapy and LA during IV cannulation are equally good for pain reduction, with VAD being highly acceptable for reducing behavioural distress and physiological parameters. Keywords: video assisted diversional therapy, local anaesthetic agent, parent’s presence, pain, behavioural response, physiological parameters. Anjalin D’Souza Asst Professor, Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India. E-mail: anjeline.d@manipal.edu developmental age, previous experience of illness, type and severity of illness and the support system available to the child during the crisis situation. However, children have limited coping mechanisms to resolve their stressors. The most common stressor found in school age child is the fear of bodily injury and pain. During childhood, children get admitted to hospital due to various reasons, such as medical and surgical problems or even for simple invasive procedures as a part of treatment in long term illnesses. Intravenous INTRODUCTION “Child is defined as a human being who is below the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier” (UNICEF, 2000). Approximately 26 million children are born in India every year. One third of India’s total population comprises of children aged 0-14 years. During the early years, crises of illness and hospitalization have adverse impact on routine activities and rituals of children. The outcome of hospitalization is greatly influenced by children’s Efectveness of video assisted diversional therapy and applicaton of local anaesthetc agent on pain, behavioural response and physiological parameters among children during Intravenous (IV) cannulaton Litna George 1 , Anjalin D’Souza 2 , Anice George 3 1) 2nd year MSc Nursing Graduate, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal University 2) Assistant Professor, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal University 3) Professor, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal University Original article