Effects of instructional therapeutic play in the behavior of children during the first attempt at intravenous catheterization.

Objective: To verify the effects of instructional therapeutic play on the behavior of children during the first attempt at peripheral intravenous catheterization.

Method: This is a quasi-experimental post hoc analysis with a non-equivalent control group, secondary to a randomized clinical trial. The convenience sample comprised 193 children, allocated for convenience into an intervention group (preparation for catheterization with a therapeutic play; n=101 children) and a control group (preparation with structured conversation supported by the use of a booklet; n=92 children).