Pharmacological interventions are often used to assist with immobilization and decrease

anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing radiation therapy. Current evidence suggests that
distraction techniques is a promising intervention for procedural pain management. It is also
relatively low cost when compared to other interventions such as medications.

Pediatric patients aged 3-6 years were placed in a remote-controlled ride-on car (RC-ROC) to
enter and exit the radiation therapy treatment room. It was found that the sample study group
required less sedation than those who did not ride in the RC-ROC.

Majority of the staff was satisfied with the experience of the distraction therapy and reported
feeling that children received less pharmacologic intervention when the RC-ROC was used.

Reference
Natale, J. L. (2021). Reducing pediatric patient anxiety: Implementing a nonpharmacologic
intervention to aid patients undergoing radiation therapy. Clinical Journal of Oncology
Nursing, 25(2), 215–218.
https://doi-org.ezproxy2.library.arizona.edu/10.1188/21.CJON.215-218