The effect of a medical clown on pain during intravenous access in the pediatric emergency department: a randomized prospective pilot study.

Background: We report the effect of the presence of a medical clown during insertion of an intravenous catheter during their emergency department visit.

Methods: Prospectively randomized to either the presence or absence of a male medical clown during the procedure. Pain was assessed using the Faces Pain Scale-Revised in children 4 to 7 years old, and visual analog scales in children 8 years and older. Parental situational anxiety was recorded using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory after the procedure.

Results: The presence of a medical clown during a painful procedure in the pediatric emergency department tended to improve pain scores in children younger than 7 years. Parental situational anxiety was significantly reduced in parents of children older than 8 years (P = .02).

Conclusion: Therapeutic clowns are useful for diminishing pain and anxiety during painful procedures being performed on children in the emergency department.