Faces Pain Scale-Revised Research Articles

Pre-emptive Nebulized Ketamine Versus Lidocaine for Post-tonsillectomy Pain Management in Children: A Comparative Study.

Background Tonsillectomy is associated with significant pain, and postoperative pain control is often unsatisfactory. There have been several methods adopted to treat postoperative pain, but none of the methods were effective, with patients continuing to undergo severe postoperative pain. Hence, our study aimed to compare the efficacy of pre-emptive nebulized ketamine versus pre-emptive nebulized lidocaine with a control group receiving nebulized saline for pain control in children undergoing tonsillectomy. Methods In this prospective randomized clinical trial, 105 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA) Ⅰ and Ⅱ undergoing tonsillectomy were enrolled and randomized into three groups, group K, group L, and group C, with 35 patients in each group, wherein pre-emptive nebulized ketamine, lidocaine, and saline were given to each group of patients, respectively. Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), sedation scale scores, and the usage of rescue analgesia were noted postoperatively for the first six hours. Hemodynamic parameters were noted before and after nebulization.The primary objective was to determine the number of patients requiring rescue analgesia as an indicator of postoperative pain control. Results In this randomized clinical trial, pre-emptive nebulized ketamine significantly reduced the need for rescue analgesia compared to lidocaine and saline (p<0.05). Only 14.3% (n=5) of patients in the ketamine group required rescue analgesiacompared to 85.7% (n=30) in the lidocaine group and 91.4% (n=32) in the control group. Nebulized ketamine given pre-emptively is an effective strategy for reducing postoperative pain in pediatric tonsillectomy. Conclusion Pre-emptive nebulized ketamine was found to be effectivewhen compared with lidocaine nebulization in reducing postoperative pain in children undergoing tonsillectomy.

Pain intensity scales: A cross-sectional study on the preferences and knowledge of physiotherapists and participants with musculoskeletal pain

BackgroundSubjective pain intensity can be measured using instruments like the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). However, information on physiotherapists' and patients' knowledge and preference for these tools is scarce. ObjectiveWe investigated the knowledge and preference of physiotherapists and participants with musculoskeletal pain (MP) regarding the pain intensity measurement scales. MethodsThis cross-sectional study consisted of physiotherapists and participants with MP. Physiotherapists were recruited via social media for an online open survey, gathering sociodemographic, professional data, and their knowledge and preferences for pain intensity scales. Participants over 18 with MP, participated in interviews focusing on their familiarity and preferences for pain intensity scales. Data was analyzed descriptively, and Chi-squared test evaluated scale preferences. ResultsWe included 352 physiotherapists (mean experience = 10.5 years) and 94 participants with MP. Of the physiotherapists, 94.3% were familiar with pain scales, but 30.4% struggled to differentiate them. The NPRS was the most used (56.3%) and preferred scale (52.4%). Among participants with MP, unfamiliarity was noted with all scales. After instruction, 46% preferred FPS-R, with preference varying by income and education levels (p < 0.001). ConclusionWe found a knowledge gap among physiotherapists in identifying pain intensity scales, with a preference for the NPRS among those familiar with the scales. Participants with MP had limited familiarity with these scales. After instructions, these participants preferred the FPS-R, particularly those with lower income and education levels.

Measuring pain intensity in older patients: a comparison of five scales

Background and aimsPain is common in older individuals. In order to understand and treat pain in this group, reliable and valid measures are needed. This study aimed to evaluate: (1) the validity, utility, incorrect response rates and preference rates of 5 pain rating scales in older individuals; and (2) the associations between age, education level, and cognitive function and both (a) incorrect response and (b) preference rates.MethodsTwo hundred and one orthopedic clinic outpatients ≥ 65 years old were asked to rate their current pain, and least, average, and worst pain intensity in the past week using 5 scales: Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS), Faces Pain Scale - Revised (FPS-R), Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Participants were also asked to indicate scale preference. We computed the associations between each measure and a factor score representing the shared variance among the scales, the incorrect response and scale preference rates, and the associations between incorrect response and preference rates and age, education level, and cognitive function. The incorrect responses included being unable to respond, providing more than one response, responses outside a range, providing range answers rather than fixed answers, and responses indicating ‘least > average,’ ‘least > worst,’ and ‘average > worst’.ResultsThe findings support validity of all 5 scales in older individuals who are able to use all measures. The VNRS had the lowest (2%) and the VAS had the highest (6%) incorrect response rates. The NRS was the most (35%) and the VAS was the least (5%) preferred. Age was associated with the incorrect response rates of the VRS and VAS, such that older individuals were less likely to use these scales correctly. Education level was associated with the incorrect response rates of the FPS-R, NRS and VAS, such that those with less education were less likely to use these measures correctly. Cognitive function was not significantly associated with incorrect response rates. Age, education level and cognitive function were not significantly associated with scale preference.ConclusionsAlthough all five scales are valid, the VNRS evidences the best overall utility in this sample of older individuals with pain. The NRS or FPS-R would be fine alternatives if it is not practical or feasible to use the VNRS.

Oral and topical analgesia in pediatric electrodiagnostic studies.

Electrodiagnostic examinations, such as nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle electromyography (EMG), are perceived as painful by children and their parents/guardians. Methods to reduce peri-procedural pain improve compliance and have neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric benefits. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of combined oral and topical analgesics (COTA), oral analgesics (OA), and placebo in reducing pain during NCS/EMG in children. We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on children presenting to our neurophysiology lab. Patients were stratified into two age groups (6M-6Y and 7Y-18Y) and randomized into three arms: COTA, OA, and placebo. Pain scores post-NCS/EMG were assessed using the Modified Behavioral Pain Scale (MBPS) and Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). One hundred thirteen participants were enrolled. A comparison of participants from both age groups combined revealed no significant differences in guardian FPS-R scores across all arms for NCS and EMG. A significant difference in the distribution of post-NCS FPS-R score severities in children aged 7Y-18Y was noted between OA and placebo (p = .007). EMG was more painful than NCS across all arms (p < .05). In children aged 6M-6Y undergoing at least 10 muscle samplings during EMG, those receiving COTA had significantly lower pain scores (p = .014). This study reveals the complexity of pediatric pain perception during NCS/EMG and highlights that other methods to reduce experienced pain are required. Our findings suggest that procedural characteristics, such as number of muscles sampled, may influence the effectiveness of analgesia and serve as a foundation for future research aimed at optimizing pain management strategies.

Virtual Reality Distraction for Needle-Related Pain and Distress in Children: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

This international multicenter randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) distraction with an identical non-VR game in reducing needle-related pain and anxiety in children undergoing venous blood draw. The study involved 304 children aged 5-9 years undergoing a blood draw procedure, randomly allocated to one of three groups: VR distraction, non-VR distraction, and control group (usual care). The distraction task was based on the Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) paradigm, and the game was identical in design and gameplay for both VR and non-VR distraction groups. The primary outcome was self-reported pain intensity using the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). Secondary outcomes included child distress, attention/distraction to the blood draw, and parent and medical staff satisfaction with procedure. Analyses were conducted using analysis of variance and multivariable linear regression models. The results showed that VR distraction and non-VR distraction performed similarly, showing large effect sizes compared with standard care. There was no significant difference between the two types of distraction. The study's findings suggest that VR and non-VR distraction are similarly effective in reducing needle-related pain and anxiety in children undergoing venous blood draw. This is the first well-powered study comparing modern VR distraction with an identical task displayed on a smartphone or monitor screen. The study's results have important implications for using VR in clinical settings and suggest that investing in expensive VR equipment for acute pain management may not be necessary. The study protocol was pre-registered on Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/frsyc.

Comparison of Automatically Controlled Injection System with a Traditional. Syringe for Multiple Infiltrations in Children Aged 6-12 Years: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Children's conduct is significantly impacted by pain during dental procedures. Children's pain and discomfort can be reduced using computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery, which applies a steady, gradual flow of the anesthetic solution into the tissues. Using a self-report anxiety scale, the study aimed to assess and compare children's perceptions of discomfort following a new auto-controlled injection method to a traditional local anesthetic procedure. A total of 25 children, ages 6-12 requiring the use of local anesthesia for treatment on both sides of the arch were selected. It was a split-mouth design, in which each participating child received both types of infiltrations in two separate, consecutive visits, using a metallic syringe in one session, and using the I-Ject device in the other. Before administering anesthesia, all the children's anxiety scales were recorded using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Faces Scale simplified to assess the anxiety level of a child. In the first appointment, Conventional anesthetic technique was and in the second appointment anesthesia was delivered using a computer-controlled device. Faces pain scaleRevised, a selfreport measure of pain was recorded immediately after completion of both types of local anesthesia (LA) administration. Patients reported greater comfort with the I-Ject computer-controlled device than with conventional anesthesia. Together with the practitioner, the computer system produced a pleasant and cozy environment for the youngster.

The Verbal Numerical Rating Scale and Faces Pain Scale-Revised for Children With Acute Pain: A Comparative Study for Determining the Need for Analgesia.

Introduction The primary complaint in all age groups of patients, including children, is pain, which drives the patient to the hospital. A good assessment of pain severity is necessary to determine the right therapy for this primary complaint. Pain scales, especially in children, are given little importance in all hospitals in India. We need more data about its effectiveness. As a result, we conducted this study to compare the effectiveness of two pain scales in an admitted patient. Methods An observational study was conducted on pediatric patients aged 8-17 admitted to a tertiary care unit in pediatric wards included in the study. The study team identified the participants with painful and nonpainful conditions by asking patients of the above age group if they had "any pain" or "any hurt." The verbal numerical rating scale (vNRS) was determined by asking, "On a scale of zero to 10, where zero signifies no pain and ten means severe pain." The child was advised to select from among the six faces using the faces pain scale-revised (FPS-R),showing increasing levels of pain intensity (from left to right), with score options 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 demonstrated below each face. Result We enrolled 140 children, of which 22 of vNRSand 15 of FPS-R were removed from the study as these children did not understandvNRS and FPS-R. The two-tailed t-test revealed that the p-value was 0.9144. By conventional criteria, in the context of statistical analysis, conventional criteria typically refer to commonly accepted thresholds for determining statistical significance. The most common threshold for significance is a p-value of 0.05 or less. In the provided scenario, the two-tailed t-test resulted in a p-value of 0.9144. By conventional criteria (i.e., using the threshold of 0.05), this p-value is considered not significant. This means that there is not enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis, which suggests that there is no significant difference between the two groups being compared (in this case, the efficacy and reliability of the two scales). Therefore, based on conventional criteria, the difference in efficacy and reliability between the two scales is considered not significant, indicating that they are likely to be equally effective and reliable. This difference is considered not significant. Hence, it is suggestive of equal efficacy and reliability on both scales. Conclusion Pain scales are a practical guide for managing and recognizing pain in children. It needs to be considered in identifying children's pain. They can provide a valuable outcome for measuring pain, which, when practiced regularly, can save time and extra burden on health staff. In the present study, both pain scales (vNRS and FPR-R) have equal efficacy.

Clinically significant differences in self-reported pain scores in children with headaches.

Changes in pain scores that represent clinically significant differences in children with headaches are necessary for study design and interpretation of findings reported in studies. We aimed to determine changes in pain scores associated with a minimum clinically significant difference (MCSD), ideal clinically significant difference (ICSD), and patient-perceived adequate analgesia (PPAA) in this population. We performed a secondary analysis of two prospective studies of children with headaches presenting to an emergency department. Two serial assessments were performed in children aged 6-17 and 4-17 years who self-reported their pain intensity using the Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) and Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), respectively. Children qualitatively described any endorsed change in pain score; those who received an analgesic were asked if they wanted additional analgesics to decrease their pain intensity. We used receiver operating characteristic curve-based methodology to identify changes in pain scores associated with "a little less" (MCSD) and "much less" (ICSD) pain and patients declining additional analgesics because they experienced adequate analgesia after treatment (PPAA). We analyzed 105 children: 63.8% were female and the median (IQR) age was 13 (10-15) years. Ninety-eight children were analyzed for the VNRS and 101 were analyzed for the FPS-R. For the VNRS, raw change and percent reductions in pain scores associated with MCSD, ICSD, and PPAA were 2/10 and 25%, 4/10 and 56%, and 3/10 and 50%, respectively, and for the FPS-R, 2/10 and 25%, 4/10 and 67%, and 4/10 and 60%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) associated with a MCSD for both scales ranged from 94% to 98%; the AUC associated with an ICSD or PPAA for both scales ranged from 76% to 83%. We identified changes in pain score associated with patient-centered outcomes in children with headaches suitable for designing trials and assigning clinical significance to changes in pain scores reported in studies.

A new method of distracting attention: Is it effective for pain and fear during phlebotomy in children?

This study examined the impact of a novel distraction approach on the mitigation of fear and pain experienced by children between the ages of 7 and 12 during phlebotomy procedures. A total of 246 children who underwent phlebotomy between January and March 2019 in the pediatric blood collection unit were included in this randomized controlled trial. The participants (n = 246) were randomized to the intervention (n = 123) and control groups (n = 123). A musical blood collection tube was used in the intervention group. The Personal Information form, the Children's Fear Scale (CFS), and the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) were used for the collection of the data. Fear and pain were primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. A formal approval from the ethics committee was sought in order to proceed with the study. In this study, the CONSORT checklist was used as a guide and ethical principles were followed. The pain intensity and fear level of the children in the intervention group (CFS=1.73±1.07; FPS-R= 1.65±1.33) were lower than those in the control (CFS=2.86 ± 1.07; FPS-R= 3.09±1.57). The reduction in the intervention group's pain intensity and fear level differed significantly (p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively). The results showed that using the musical blood collection tube as a new distraction technique reduces fear and pain intensity during phlebotomy in children. The musical blood collection tube can be used by health professionals as a non-pharmacological method to reduce the pain and fear of children during blood collection.

Reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the Parents’ Postoperative Pain Measure (PPPM-Dv)

Background: Pain is often poorly managed in pediatric daycare surgery. The Parents’ Postoperative Pain Measure (PPPM) is available as parent report to rate children’s pain at home after surgery and is a reliable and well validated tool. Objectives: To establish the reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the Parents’ Postoperative Pain Measure (PPPM-Dv) to assess postoperative pain among children aged between 2 and 12 years during five postoperative days at home. Design: cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: ZNA Queen Paola’s Children’s Hospital. Methods: 120 children were included. Stratification was done according to age (2-5 and 6-12 years) and three surgical categories. Parents socioeconomic status (SES) and religion were registered. For all children, parents recorded pain using the PPPM-Dv and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) twice daily for five days. Children between 6-12 years were asked to rate their experienced pain using the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). Results: From 120 children included 91 (76.6%) families completed pain diaries. Reliability across the five-day postoperative period, Cronbach’s α for PPPM-Dv was .70 to .90. Correlations between PPPM-Dv and NRS- 11/FPS-R were strong (.81 and .61). Using NRS-11(≥4) as binary classifier (yes/no), ROC analysis identified a PPPM-Dv score &gt;2 as cut-off, with a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 82%. With FPS-R (≥4) as binary classifier (yes/no), ROC analysis identified a PPPM-Dv score &gt;2 as cut-off (sensitivity:88%; specificity:79%). PPPM-Dv scores decreased over time and followed a similar pattern as the NRS-11 and FPS-R scores. Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE) showed that higher PPPM-Dv scores were associated with a more painful surgical category and were independent of SES and religious affiliation. Conclusion: These data provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the PPPM-Dv. This can be a helpful tool to identify pain in children after daycare surgery at home in a Dutch speaking population. Trial registration: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12813822

Effects of pharmacogenetic profiles on pediatric pain relief and adverse events with ibuprofen and oxycodone.

Individual genetic variation may influence clinical effects for pain medications. Effects of CYP2C9, CYP3A4, and CYP2D6 polymorphisms on clinical effectiveness and safety for ibuprofen and oxycodone were studied. Primary objectives were to AU2 evaluate if allelic variations would affect clinical effectiveness and adverse events (AEs) occurrence. This pragmatic prospective, observational cohort included children aged 4 to 16 years who were seen in a pediatric emergency department with an acute fracture and prescribed ibuprofen or oxycodone for at-home pain management. Saliva samples were obtained for genotyping of allelic variants, and daily telephone follow-up was conducted for 3 days. Pain was measured using the Faces Pain Scale-Revised. We included 210 children (n = 140 ibuprofen and n = 70 oxycodone); mean age was 11.1 (±SD 3.5) years, 33.8% were female. Median pain reduction on day 1 was similar between groups [ibuprofen 4 (IQR 2,4) and oxycodone 4 (IQR 2,6), P = 0.69]. Over the 3 days, the oxycodone group experienced more AE than the ibuprofen group (78.3% vs 53.2%, P < 0.001). Those with a CYP2C9*2 reduced function allele experienced less adverse events with ibuprofen compared with those with a normal functioning allele CYP2C9*1 (P = 0.003). Neither CYP3A4 variants nor CYP2D6 phenotype classification affected clinical effect or AE. Although pain relief was similar, children receiving oxycodone experienced more AE, overall, than those receiving ibuprofen. For children receiving ibuprofen or oxycodone, pain relief was not affected by genetic variations in CYP2C9 or CYP3A4/CYP2D6, respectively. For children receiving ibuprofen, the presence of CYP2C9*2 was associated with less adverse events.

Abdominal Stretching Exercise Berpengaruh Terhadap Intensitas Dysmenorrhea Pada Remaja Putri

The signs of adolescence include physical changes driven by hormonal shifts. Among the complaints experienced by adolescent girls during menstruation is dysmenorrhea, often caused by a progesterone hormone imbalance. This hormonal imbalance triggers uterine contractions and stimulates pain responses in adolescent girls, especially at the onset of menstruation. Abdominal Stretching Exercise is a non-pharmacological therapy that can alleviate dysmenorrhea. The research aimed to determine the impact of Abdominal Stretching Exercise on the intensity of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls at the Nurul Barokah Al-Islami Islamic Boarding School in Buring Kedungkandang, Malang City. The study utilized an experimental approach with a one-group pre-post-test design. The intervention occurred during menstruation from the first to the third day, with a daily duration of 20 minutes. The research population comprised 32 adolescent girls experiencing primary dysmenorrhea. The sample included 32 adolescent girls selected through total sampling. Data collection utilized the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) for pain assessment. Data analysis was performed using the Paired Sample t-test. The research results showed a p-value of 0.000 (α 0.05), indicating that Abdominal Stretching Exercise had an impact on the intensity of dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls at the Nurul Barokah Al-Islami Islamic Boarding School in Buring Kedungkandang, Malang City. The application of Abdominal Stretching Exercise proved effective in reducing the intensity of dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls. This therapy can serve as an alternative option to alleviate dysmenorrhea symptoms.

The effect of buzzy®, DistrACTION® cards on reducing pediatric pain and fear during blood collection in the rheumatology polyclinic: A randomized controlled trial

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Buzzy® and DistrACTION® Cards in reducing children's pain and fear while taking venous blood samples. MethodsThis research was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The study population consisted of children aged 6–12 years admitted to the Pediatric Rheumatology Diseases Polyclinic in a Faculty of Medicine in Germany. The sample of the study consisted of 96 children (Buzzy® = 32, DistrACTION® Cards = 32, control = 32) who met the patient selection criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The data were obtained using a Child and Family Information Form, the Children Fear Scale (CFS), and the Faces Pain Scale–Revised (FPS-R). The data were evaluated using the Pearson chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, One-way ANOVA test with Bonferroni correction, and Fisher-Freeman-Halton. FindingsIn the study, the average age of the children was 9.21 ± 2.15 years. The Buzzy® group had the lowest pain and procedural fear scores (self-report = 0.88 ± 1.13, 0.31 ± 0.47; parent report = 0.75 ± 0.98, 0.34 ± 0.48, and researcher report = 0.81 ± 1.00, 0.31 ± 0.54, respectively) than the DC, and control groups. ConclusionsThe Buzzy® method was effective in reducing venipuncture pain and fear in children. Practice implicationsNurses can use the Buzzy® methods to help reduce venipuncture pain and fear in children.The clinical trial registration number is NCT05560074.(https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT05560074).

Comparative Evaluation of Electronic Acupuncture Pen and 2% Lignocaine Gel as an Intraoral Topical Anesthetic Agent in Children.

Background The most exasperating aspect for pediatric patients in a dental setup is the fear and anxiety caused by injections, called "blenophobia". There are numerous local anesthetic agents available to reduce the needle prick pain. Taking into consideration the paradigm shift, there is always a possibility for alternate treatment options. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) application through an electronic acupuncture pen (Meridian Energy Acupuncture Pen W-912 GENERIC) and 2% lignocaine gel as an intraoral topical anesthetic agent in children. Method Patients aged 6 to 12 years were eligible for inclusion. The topical anesthetic agents were administered to the patients in a bilateral split-mouth technique. InGroup A, 2% topical anesthetic gel was administered on the first visit on one side of the mandible and topical anesthesia through the electronic acupuncture pen was administered on the next visit, on the opposite side of the mandible.The electronic acupuncture pen was applied on one side of the mandible on the first visit, and on the next appointment, 2% topical anesthetic gel on the other side was administered in Group B. Sound, eye,motor scale (SEM) and faces pain scale-Revised (FPS) were used as tools of evaluation after local anesthesia was administered. Results The comparison between electronic acupuncture pen and 2% lignocaine gel using the SEM scale shows a statistically insignificant difference (p-value = 0.082). Similarly, a comparison ofFPS values between both groups indicates no significant difference (p-value = 0.582). However, results show areduced pain perception in both groups. Conclusion Topical anesthetic agents are commonly usedto reduce needle prick pain in children.TENS through the electronic acupuncture pen, a revisited aid in scientific research, has proved its efficacy as a topical pain reduction measureduring dental treatment. This device overcomes the shortcomings of the anesthetic gels and also nullifies the chances of overdosage, hypersensitivity, and disagreeable taste. Thus, this tool can be used in dental practicefor the management of pain in children.

Effectiveness of distraction intervention to overcome pain and associated distress during painful procedures in children

If procedures like injections and vaccinations are made free from pain, overall opinion about hospitalization will change. Nonpharmacological techniques like distraction allows focus of client to be diverted away from pain. This part of preliminary study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of distraction in preventing or minimizing pain and behavioural distress among children while undergoing invasive intravenous procedures. Purpose: To assess and evaluate the intensity of pain and behavioural distress among children during invasive intravenous procedures with and without distraction technique and to determine the association between the intensity of pain, behavioural distress in children undergoing invasive intravenous procedures and selected variables. Method: An experimental approach with post test only control group design was used for the study. The sample for the study comprised of 24 children with age group of 3 - 12 years; 12 children for each experimental group and control group selected by purposive sampling with random assignment. Pain and behavioural distress were assessed using Revised Faces Pain Scale and Behavioural Distress Scale respectively. Findings: The results of this preliminary study showed that using distraction technique during invasive intravenous procedures reduces pain and pain associated behavioural distress among children caused due to invasive intravenous procedures.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on postoperative pain in pediatric orthopedic surgery with the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol: a prospective, randomized controlled trial

Study objectiveTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in postoperative analgesia following pediatric orthopedic surgery with the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. DesignProspective randomized controlled trial. SettingThe Seventh Medical Center of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital. ParticipantsEligible participants were children aged 3–15 years who were scheduled to undergo orthopedic surgery of the lower extremities under general anesthesia. InterventionsA total of 58 children were randomly allocated into two groups: TEAS (n = 29) and sham-TEAS (n = 29). The ERAS protocol was used in both groups. In the TEAS group, the bilateral Hegu (LI4) and Neiguan (PC6) acupoints were stimulated starting from 10 min before anesthetic induction until the completion of surgery. In the sham-TEAS group, the electric stimulator was also connected to the participants; however, electrical stimulation was not applied. MeasuresThe primary outcome was the severity of pain before leaving the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at postoperative 2 h, 24 h, and 48 h. Pain intensity was measured with the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). ResultsNone of the participants had any TEAS-related adverse reactions. In comparison with the sham-TEAS group, FPS-R scores in the TEAS group were significantly decreased before leaving the PACU and at postoperative 2 h and 24 h (p < 0.05). The incidence of emergence agitation, intraoperative consumption of remifentanil, and time to extubation were significantly reduced in the TEAS group. Furthermore, the time to first press of the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) pump was significantly longer, the pressing times of the PCIA pump in 48 h after surgery was significantly decreased, and parental satisfaction was significantly improved (all p < 0.05). ConclusionTEAS may safely and effectively relieve postoperative pain and reduce the consumption of perioperative analgesia in children following orthopedic surgery with the ERAS protocol. Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200059577), registered on May 4, 2022.

Caudal Epidural Block versus Combined Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric Nerve Block for Post-Operative Analgesia in Pediatric Surgeries Below the Umbilicus

Objective: To compare the duration and effectiveness of postoperative analgesia provided by caudal block versus combined Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric nerve block in pediatric infra-umbilical surgeries.Study Design: Quasi-experimental.Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Anesthesia Department of Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH) Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from June 2021 to December 2021.Materials and Methods: Sample size was calculated from the WHO sample size calculator using the population size received in 6 months. The sample size was filtered down by purposive sampling to 80 (children aged 5-10 years) using a pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criterion scheduled for below umbilicus surgeries. They were alternatively divided into two equal groups (n=40) where Group-C received a caudal block and Group-I received ultrasound-guided Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric nerve block. Both groups underwent the same general anesthesia technique with I-gel and similar medications at inductions. Our primary outcome measure was the duration of analgesia using the Revised Faces Pain Scale, where p-value &lt;0.05 was considered significant. The secondary outcomes measured were motor block and urinary retention.Results: Median revised Faces Pain Score (FPS-R) immediately after surgery was 1.50(1) for Group-C and 0.00(1) for Group I, respectively. At 4 hours postoperatively, the median FPS-R in Group-C was 4.00(2), and in Group I, it was 2.00(0). After 8 hours, Group-C had a median FPS-R of 6.50(1) and Group-I had pain scores of 3.00(1). Median pain scores of Group-C and Group-I at 12 hours postoperatively were 8.00(1) and 5.00(1), respectively. The demographic characteristics of the patients were comparable in both groups with similar duration of surgery. Group-C reported some cases of side effects, such as motor block and urinary retention, while Group-I did not have any of these effects. All anesthetic procedures did not otherwise have any adverse events.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that combined Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric nerve block furnished efficient post-operative analgesia while requiring smaller amounts of local anesthetics and avoiding the adverse effects of the caudal block. It is an ideal regional block technique for infra-umbilical surgeries in pediatric populations at busy centres.

Therapeutic communication improves patient comfort during venipuncture in children: a single-blinded intervention study

The aim of this study was to examine whether therapeutic communication improves children’s comfort during venipuncture compared to standard communication. This study was registered in the Dutch trial register (NL8221), December 10, 2019. This single-blinded interventional study was carried out in an outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital. Inclusion criteria were age between 5 and 18 years, use of topical anesthesia (EMLA) and sufficient understanding of the Dutch language. 105 children were included, 51 assigned to the standard communication group (SC group) and 54 patients to the therapeutic communication group (TC group). The primary outcome measure was self-reported pain based on the Faces Pain Scale Revised (FPS-R). Secondary outcome measures were observed pain (numeric rating scale (NRS)), self-reported/observed anxiety in child and parent (NRS), self-reported satisfaction in child, parent and medical personnel (NRS), and procedural time. No difference was found for self-reported pain. Self-reported and observed anxiety (by parents and medical personnel) was lower in the TC group (p-values ranged from p = 0.005 to p = 0.048). Procedural time was lower in the TC group (p = 0.011). Satisfaction level of medical personnel was higher in the TC group (p = 0.014). Conclusion: TC during venipuncture did not result in lower self-reported pain. However, secondary outcomes (observed pain, anxiety and procedural time) were significantly improved in the TC group.What is Known:• Medical procedures, especially needle related procedures, cause anxiety and fear in children and adults.• In adults communication techniques based on hypnosis are effective in reducing pain and anxiety during medical procedures.What is New:• Our study found that with a small change in communication technique (called therapeutic communication or TC), the comfort of children during venipuncture improves.• This improved comfort was mainly reflected by reduced anxiety scores and shorter procedural time. This makes TC suitable for the outpatient setting.

The certified child life specialist: A novel resource in the pediatric primary care clinic for managing children's pain during routine immunizations.

This study evaluated the effect of the Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) on pediatric pain and pain management during routine immunization administration in the pediatric primary care clinic. Children 4-12 years of age (n= 125) presenting for a well child physical examination at a rural primary care clinic were selected to receive standard nursing care or standard nursing care plus CCLS support during routine immunization administration. Patient reported pain was measured using the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), and patient behavioral responses were measured during immunization administration using the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS). The performance of psychosocial interventions and administration of topical pain-relieving interventions were measured between both groups. CCLS support was associated with fewer negative emotional behaviors during immunization administration among 7- to 12-year-old children and a significantly higher provision of psychosocial interventions and topical pain-relieving interventions among all ages. This study demonstrates that the presence of a CCLS can increase the provision of psychosocial and pain-relieving interventions and reduce distress during immunization administration in a busy pediatric primary care clinic.

The validity and reliability of the interviewer-administered EQ-5D-Y-3L version in young children

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the EQ-5D-Y-3L interviewer-administered (IA) version in South African children aged 5–7-years compared to 8–10-years.MethodsChildren aged 5–10-years (n = 388) were recruited from healthcare facilities, schools for learners with special educational needs and mainstream schools across four known condition groups: chronic respiratory illnesses, functional disabilities, orthopaedic conditions and the general population. All children completed the EQ-5D-Y-3L IA, Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ), Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) and a functional independence measure (WeeFIM) was completed by the researcher. Cognitive debriefing was done after the EQ-5D-Y-3L IA to determine comprehensibility. Test–retest of the EQ-5D-Y-3L IA was done 48 h later and assessed using Cohen’s kappa (k).ResultsResults from children aged 5–7-years (n = 177) and 8–10-years (n = 211) were included. There were significantly higher reports of problems in the Looking After Myself dimension in the 5–7-year-olds (55%) compared to the 8–10-year-olds (28%) (x2 = 31.021; p = 0.000). The younger children took significantly longer to complete the measure (Mann-Whitney U = 8389.5, p < 0.001). Known-group validity was found at dimension level with children receiving orthopaedic management reporting more problems on physical dimensions across both age-groups. Convergent validity between Looking After Myself and WeeFIM items of self-care showed moderate to high correlations for both age-groups with a significantly higher correlation in the 8–10-year-olds for dressing upper (z = 2.24; p = 0.013) and lower body (z = 2.78; p = 0.003) and self-care total (z = 2.01; p = 0.022). There were fair to moderate levels of test-retest reliability across age-groups.ConclusionThe EQ-5D-Y-3L IA showed acceptable convergent validity and test–retest reliability for measuring health in children aged 5–7-years. There was more report of problems with the dimension of Looking After Myself in the 5–7-year group due to younger children requiring help with dressing, including buttons and shoelaces due to their developmental age, rather than their physical capabilities. Therefore, it may be useful to include examples of age-appropriate dressing tasks. There was further some reported difficulty with thinking about the dimensions in the younger age-group, most notably for Usual Activities which includes a large number of examples. By decreasing the number of examples it may reduce the burden of recall for the younger age-group.