Acceptability and feasibility of an app to prepare children for a blood test: An exploratory cohort study.

Objective: Children report needle procedures as one of their most feared and painful experiences. Negative blood test experiences can lead to life-long implications. Xploro is an online health information platform (app) which uses age-appropriate self-directed augmented reality (AR) techniques. This study evaluated the acceptability, feasibility and self-reported impact of Xploro on children undergoing a planned blood test.
Method: Children aged 6-14 years accessed Xploro at home before attending hospital for a planned blood test. Paper data collection booklets were completed by children, their parents and health professionals. We explored participants’ views of using Xploro and the perceived impact on a child’s ability to undergo the blood test. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis procedures.
Results: 24 children, 24 parents and 6 health professionals participated. Children (96%; n=23/24) reported that Xploro was ‘fun’, ‘easy to use’ and helped them have their blood test (94%, n=17/18), as they ‘knew what to expect’ and what would help them. Parents reported that the app helped ‘open up a dialogue about the blood test’ with their child and helped their child ‘know what would happen during the blood test’ and how to ‘stay calm’. Health professionals (n=6) reported that Xploro helped children access information ‘at their leisure at home’.
Conclusion: Xploro is reported as being a useful and engaging self-directed child-friendly information app for children having a planned blood test which helped children know what was going to happen and improved their experiences of having a blood test.