Effect of Child Position on Pain Experience During Lumbar Puncture: A Prospective Pilot Study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of patient's position on pain and anxiety during lumbar puncture (LP). A randomized controlled trial included children between 2 and 18 years old receiving at least 2 therapeutic LPs. They were randomly assigned to undergo lateral decubitus position or sitting position LP. Primary outcome was the maximum LP-induced pain, secondary endpoint the maximum LP-induced anxiety score. Twenty-eight patients were randomized. For patients under 6 years old, mean of Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, and Consolability were 2.8/10±3.0 (median=1) at first time and 1.5±1.7 (median=1) at second time. For patients 6 to 18 years old, mean of visual analog scale were 2.2±2.2 (median=1.5) at first time and 3.2±2.8 (median=3) at second time. There was no significant differences according to position on anxiety among children. Results did not demonstrate whether lateral decubitus position could generate less pain and anxiety than sitting position.