• SWETA VILASRAO LADE
• DR. VIJAY ROKADE

Abstract Introduction:. Hospitalization can cause anxiety in children aged 6–12 years due to unfamiliar surroundings, separation from family, and fear of procedures, affecting their emotional well-being and treatment cooperation. Non-pharmacological interventions such as Mandala Colouring Therapy and Free Drawing promote relaxation, distraction, and emotional expression, making them useful approaches in paediatric nursing care. Objectives: 1. To assess the anxiety level among hospitalized children at baseline. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of mandala colouring therapy on anxiety level among hospitalized children. 3. To evaluate the effectiveness of free drawing on anxiety level among hospitalized children. 4. To compare the anxiety level in mandala colouring therapy group with free drawing group. 5. To find out the association of study findings with selected demographic variables. Methodology: An experimental study with a two-parallel interventional arm design was conducted in selected paediatric wards to compare the effectiveness of these interventions. Seventy-two hospitalized children were selected using simple random sampling and randomly assigned to Mandala Colouring Therapy (n=36) and Free Drawing (n=36). Anxiety was assessed before and after intervention using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Pre-test findings showed high anxiety levels in both groups. The mean pre-test anxiety score was 36.55±11.09 in the mandala group and 29.55±11.12 in the free drawing group. Post-test results revealed significant reduction in anxiety, with mean scores of 2.22±0.89 and 7.08±2.92 respectively. Both interventions were effective; however, Mandala Colouring Therapy demonstrated greater reduction in anxiety. Conclusion: The study concludes that structured colouring activities can be recommended as a simple and effective nursing intervention to reduce anxiety among hospitalized children.

Keywords: Hospitalized children, Anxiety, Mandala Colouring Therapy, Free Drawing, Non-pharmacological intervention.s

"“EFFECTIVENESS OF MANDALA COLOURING THERAPY VERSUS FREE DRAWING ON ANXIETY LEVEL AMONG HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN.”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 10, page no.b463-b472, October-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2610149.pdf

"“EFFECTIVENESS OF MANDALA COLOURING THERAPY VERSUS FREE DRAWING ON ANXIETY LEVEL AMONG HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN.”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 10, page no. ppb463-b472, October-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2610149.pdf