THE EFFECT OF SANDPLAY THERAPY ON THE ANXİETY AND PAİN LEVELS OF CHİLDREN DURİNG PREOPERATİVE PERİOD

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of preoperative sand play therapy on anxiety and pain levels in school-aged children (7-10 years old). The study was conducted with 68 children undergoing tonsillectomy, divided into an experimental group (sand play intervention) and a control group (routine care). Anxiety levels were measured using the Child Anxiety Scale-State (CAAS) and the Yale Modified Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS), while pain levels were assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. The study evaluates whether sand play before surgery is an effective non-pharmacological method for reducing preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain.