Observational Scale Of Behavioral Distress Research Articles

Hypnosis to Reduce Distress in Children Undergoing Anorectal Manometry: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Background/AimsTo assess the effectiveness and feasibility of a brief session of hypnosis to reduce distress in children with functional constipation undergoing anorectal manometry (ARM).MethodsA partially-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted in children 4-18 years old scheduled for ARM. Children were randomized to receive a brief session of hypnosis prior to ARM or standard care. Non-blinded and blinded observers rated the child’s level of distress using the Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress and a 4-point-Likert scale, respectively. Differences between groups were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test or Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate.ResultsData from 32 children (15 hypnosis and 17 standard care) were analyzed. Prior to insertion of the catheter, the observed mean levels of distress were lower in the hypnosis group according to both the non-blinded observer (median 0.0 [interquartile range {IQR} 0.0-0.3] vs 1.4 [IQR 0.3-2.4]; P = 0.009) and the blinded observer (median 0.0 [IQR 0.0-0.0] vs 0.5 [IQR 0.0-1.0]; P = 0.044). During ARM, observed and reported levels of distress did not differ significantly. In the hypnosis group, 92.9% of parents and children reported that hypnosis helped the child to relax. There were no significant differences in resting pressure, squeeze pressure, or duration of the procedure between both groups.ConclusionA brief session of hypnosis for children before ARM is an easily incorporable intervention that lowers distress levels prior to the procedure and is positively perceived by children and parents.

Development and assessment of an efficient pediatric affect and cooperation scale

Study objectiveHRAD± was developed to quickly evaluate pediatric preprocedural affect and cooperativity during mask induction of anesthesia and peripheral intravenous (PIV) placement. HRAD± represents: Happy, Relaxed, Anxious, Distressed, with a yes/no answer to cooperativity. The primary aim of this study was to compare HRAD± to previously published scales. DesignWe conducted an observational study. SettingVideos of pediatric patients were collected in the perioperative environment. PatientsTwenty-four children, twenty-one pediatric anesthesiologists and twenty pediatric perioperative providers were included. InterventionsTo assess the reliability of HRAD±, standard patient videos were created. Children underwent mask induction or PIV placement, and these interventions were video recorded. Mask induction and PIV placement videos were rated by pediatric anesthesiologists and perioperative non-physician providers respectively using HRAD±. MeasurementsTwo trained researchers provided the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS), Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD), and Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC) scores, and we calculated correlations to HRAD±, inter-rater reliability, and intra-rater reliability. Main resultsHRAD± scores strongly correlated with mYPAS (r = 0.846, p < 0.0001) and OSBD scores (r = 0.723, p < 0.0001). Cooperativity scores correlated strongly with ICC scores in the mask induction group (r = −0.715, p < 0.0001) and in the PIV group (r = −0.869, p < 0.0001).HRAD± inter-rater reliability for mask induction was 0.414 (p < 0.0001) and for PIV assessment was 0.378 (p < 0.0001). Inter-rater reliability for cooperativity on mask induction was 0.797 (p < 0.0001) and PIV assessment was 0.683 (p < 0.0001). Intra-rater reliability for mask induction was 0.675 and PIV assessments was 0.678. Intra-rater reliability for cooperativity for mask induction was 0.894 and for PIV assessments was 0.765. ConclusionsHRAD± is an efficient and reliable scale that serves as a practical alternative for measuring pediatric affect during mask induction and PIV placement. The results demonstrate strong correlation with commonly utilized yet more complex affect scales.

Medical Clowning: A Cost-Effective Way to Reduce Stress Among Children Undergoing Invasive Procedures.

BackgroundDistraction techniques like medical clowning and the use of soap bubbles can aid in reducing children’s stress levels while undergoing invasive medical procedures. Such complementary therapies are not a common practice in Pakistan, and data exploring the potential benefits of complementary therapies are sparse. This study aimed to determine whether distractions like medical clowns and soap bubbles could reduce anxiety and pain perceived by children undergoing invasive medical procedures in a hospital in Pakistan.Material and methodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial of 76 pediatric patients (aged six to 12 years) whose treatment required a peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter insertion at the pediatric ward of the Fauji Foundation Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from March 2016 to June 2016. Peripheral IV catheter insertion was required for all patients as part of their treatments (no participants received IV catheter placement solely for this study). Our sample size was selected via random sampling, and we excluded patients whose parents or legal guardians did not consent for their inclusion. Study participants were randomly assigned to either a clown group (n=38) or a control group (n=38). The patients in the clown group underwent IV catheter placement while interacting with the medical student clown and soap bubbles in the presence of a parent. Patients in the control group underwent IV catheter placement with support provided only by the parent. We assessed the patient’s distress and anxiety before, during, and after the procedure. We used the Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD), before and after the procedure with the short version of self-reported Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Children (STAI-C), the visual analog anxiety scale (VAS), and pain experienced with the Wong-Baker Faces pain scale (FPS) only after the procedure. Additionally, we collected demographic information. The hospital's ethical review committee approved our study design.ResultsOf the 76 study participants, 53.9% were male and 46.1% were female. Most patients lived in a rural setting (67%). Mean values of the FPS, OSBD, and STAI-C for the clown group (3.21, 6.23, and 8.52, respectively) were all lower than those for the control group (8.00, 18.02, and 15.29, respectively; p<.001); however, the difference was not statistically significant for children older than 10 years. After IV catheter placement, the mean VAS score for the clown group was also significantly lower than that for the control group (2.84 vs. 8.92, respectively; p<.001).ConclusionThe use of distractions via medical clowns and soap bubbles was an effective nonpharmacological method of reducing anxiety and perceived pain in children undergoing invasive medical procedures. Therefore, proceduralists could use such techniques as powerful, noninvasive, and cost-effective complementary and alternative medicine tools in pediatric treatment settings in Pakistan. Further studies on the potential benefits of the aforementioned techniques are warranted.

Virtual Reality vs. Tablet Video as an Experiential Education Platform for Pediatric Patients Undergoing Chest Radiography: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Virtual reality (VR), which offers an immersive experience, has been implemented into the education of pediatric patients to reduce peri-procedural anxiety. This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effect of VR, compared with standard video, on reducing anxiety and distress in pediatric patients undergoing chest radiography. A total of 120 children aged 4 to 8 years with scheduled chest radiography appointments were randomized into either the tablet or the VR group. Children in the tablet group experienced chest radiography indirectly with a 3 min tablet video, whereas those in the VR group received the same content via a VR experience. The distress of children was measured using the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD) scale. Parental presence and procedural outcomes were also recorded. The number of less distressed children (OSBD score < 5) was significantly higher in the VR group than in the tablet group (49 [81.7%]) vs. 32 [53.3%]) (p = 0.001). The OSBD scores, the need for parental presence, the procedure time, and the number of repeated procedures were all lower in the VR group. The immersive VR experience appears to decrease the degree of anxiety in children and increase the efficiency of the procedures compared with the tablet video with the same content.

Effect of Virtual Reality on Relieving Pain and Anxiety of Circumcision in Children

Background: Circumcision is a common surgery and causes severe pain and anxiety in children. Today, virtual reality is used as an easy and cost-effective non-pharmacological method to manage pain and anxiety with no side effects. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality on the reduction of pain and anxiety in children who underwent circumcision. Method: This single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 40 children in 2019. The research instruments included the demographic survey, the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress, and the Oucher pain scale which were completed in both groups 30 min before and after the circumcision (immediately after dressing the surgical wound). Anxiety immediately before circumcision. The children�s pain was assessed during anesthesia in both groups. A two-step intervention was performed on the experimental group. A preoperative virtual reality training video and a virtual reality animation were presented to distract the patients during the circumcision. All these steps except virtual reality were performed in the control group. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16). Results: Virtual reality as a distraction technique significantly reduced anxiety and pain at the onset of circumcision (p <0.001) and during anesthesia (p <0.001) as well as pain (P=0.005) and anxiety (p <0.001) at the end of the circumcision in the intervention group compared to the control group. Implications for Practice: Clinical use of virtual reality can be used for the reduction of pain and anxiety in children during the circumcision process.

Psychosocial interventions for reduction of distress in children with leukemia during bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture

Children with cancer undergo many invasive medical procedures that are often painful and highly distressing, including bone marrow aspiration (BMA) and lumbar puncture (LP). Psychosocial interventions have been demonstrated to reduce children's distress resulting from invasive medical procedures. The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of psychosocial interventions to reduce distress in children with cancer undergoing BMA and LP in a pediatric cancer center in Taiwan. Children with cancer who received treatment between March 2015 and December 2016 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan were eligible for the study. The psychosocial intervention comprised preparation and cognitive behavioral intervention and was provided by a certified child life specialist. The assessment instrument was the revised version of the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD-R). The behavioral distress of patients who underwent psychosocial interventions for BMA and LP was compared with patients without interventions. We also analyzed the difference of behavioral distress in patients' pre- and post-psychosocial intervention for BMA and LP. Eighteen patients were enrolled into this study. The mean age of diagnosis of leukemia was 6.6 years old (range: 3-11 years). Fifteen patients were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and 3 were diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. The mean of OSBD-R total scores in 7 patients with psychosocial intervention was significantly lower than the mean score in 6 patients without intervention (0.65 vs. 4.81, p=0.002). Pre- and post-psychosocial intervention for BMA and LP behavioral distress were evaluated for the remaining 5 patients. Consistently, there was a significant reduction of the OSBD-R score following interventions (3.04 vs. 7.81, p=0.025). Psychosocial interventions provided by a certified child life specialist have a significant potential to reduce children's distress during BMA and LP in pediatric healthcare settings in Taiwan.

Evaluating Clinical Effectiveness and Pharmacokinetic Profile of Atomized Intranasal Midazolam in Children Undergoing Laceration Repair

BackgroundAtomized intranasal midazolam is a common adjunct in pediatrics for procedural anxiolysis. There are no previous studies of validated anxiety scores with pharmacokinetic data to support optimal procedure timing. ObjectivesWe describe the clinical and pharmacokinetic profile of atomized intranasal midazolam in children presenting for laceration repair. MethodsChildren 11 months to 7 years of age and weighing <26 kg received 0.4 mg/kg of atomized intranasal midazolam for simple laceration repair. Blood samples were obtained at 3 time points in each patient, and the data were fit with a 1-compartment model. Patient anxiety was rated with the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress. Secondary outcomes included use of adjunctive medications, successful completion of procedure, and adverse events. ResultsSixty-two subjects were enrolled, with a mean age of 3.3 years. The median time to peak midazolam concentration was 10.1 min (interquartile range 9.7–10.8 min), and the median time to the procedure was 26 min (interquartile range 21–34 min). There was a trend in higher Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress scores during the procedure. We observed a total of 2 adverse events, 1 episode of vomiting (1.6%) and 1 paradoxical reaction (1.6%). Procedural completion was successful in 97% of patients. ConclusionsAtomized intranasal midazolam is a safe and effective anxiolytic to facilitate laceration repair. The plasma concentration was >90% of the maximum from 5 to 17 min, suggesting this as an ideal procedural timeframe after intranasal midazolam administration.

Cross-sectional study on differences in pain perception and behavioral distress during venipuncture between italian and chinese children.

Venipuncture is perhaps the scariest aspect of hospitalization for children as it causes pain and high levels of behavioral distress. Pain is a complex experience which is also influenced by social factors such as cultural attitudes, beliefs and traditions. Studies focusing on ethnic/cultural differences in pain perception and behavioral distress show controversial results, in particular with regards to children. The aim of this paper is to evaluate differences in pain perception and behavioral manifestations between Italian and Chinese children undergoing a venipuncture, through a cross-sectional study. Behavioral distress and self-reported pain were measured in Chinese and Italian outpatient children during a standardized blood-drawing procedure, using the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD) and pain scales. We observed 332 children: 93 Chinese and 239 Italian. Chinese children scored higher than Italians on pain scales – mean scores 5.3 (95%CI 4.78-5.81) vs. 3.2 (95%CI 2.86-3.53) – but lower mean OSBD scores – mean 4.1 (95%CI 3.04-5.15) vs. 8.1 (95%CI 7.06-9.14). Our data suggest that Chinese children experience higher levels of pain than their Italian peers, although they show more self-control in their behavioral reaction to pain when experiencing venipuncture.

Can Presence of a Dog Reduce Pain and Distress in Children during Venipuncture?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of animal-assisted intervention as distraction for reducing children's pain and distress before, during, and after standard blood collection procedure. Fifty children (ages 4-11 years) undergoing venipuncture were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG; n = 25) or to the control group (CG; n = 25). The blood collection procedure was carried on the children in the EG arm in the presence of a dog, whereas no dog was present when venipuncture was conducted on children in CG. In both cases, parents accompanied the child in the procedure room. Distress experienced by the child was measured with the Amended Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress, while perceived pain was measured with a visual analog scale or the Wong Baker Scale (Faces Scale); levels of cortisol in blood also were analyzed. Parental anxiety during the procedure was measured with State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Children assigned to the EG group reacted with less distress than children in the CG arm. Furthermore, cortisol levels were lower in the EG group compared with the CG group. There were no significant differences in pain ratings and in the level of parental anxiety. It appears that the presence of dogs during blood draw procedures reduces distress in children.

Perception of venipuncture pain in children suffering from chronic diseases.

BackgroundVenipuncture pain in children results from a variety of co-factors which increase the intensity of the nociceptive stimulus. Among them, anticipatory anxiety plays an important role. Children with chronic diseases undergo invasive procedures and venipuncture more often than other children. Some healthcare professionals still believe that children who are repeatedly exposed to painful procedures, such as children with chronic diseases, gradually increase their pain tolerance and that, as a result, they have a higher pain threshold than children with no chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a difference exists in the perception of venipuncture pain between children with chronic diseases and children with no previous health problems nor experience of venipuncture.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out using the Wong and numeric pain scales and the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD) for the assessment of behavioral distress. A group of children with chronic diseases and a group of children with no previous health problems nor experience of venipuncture, aged 4 to 12 years, both boys and girls, were observed during a standardized venipuncture procedure.ResultsThe study included 230 children in total: 82 of them suffered from chronic diseases and had already experienced venipuncture at least once, while the remaining 148 children had no previous experience of venipuncture. The children with chronic diseases reported more pain (median pain score of 8 on the Wong or numeric scales,) and showed more signs of behavioral distress (median score of 27 on the OSBD) than non-chronic children (median pain score of 2 on the Wong/numeric scales, p = 0.00001; median OSBD score 5, p = 0.00001).ConclusionsOur study suggests that children with chronic diseases have a lower pain threshold than children of the same sex and age who experience venipuncture for the first time.

Effect of Toys and Preoperative Visit on Reducing Children's Anxiety and their Parents before Surgery and Satisfaction with the Treatment Process.

Hospital anxiety and surgery has an unpleasant and disturbing feeling for a child and his/her family. This study aimed to determine the effect of toys and visit in reducing children's anxiety before the surgery and their mothers and satisfaction with the treatment process. This was a quasi-experimental study in posttest design with a control group. 60 children aged 3 to 8 years, who were undergoing ear, nose and throat surgery in Tabriz Amiralmomenin hospital, were chosen, and regarding their age and gender, were recruited into the control or experiment group. For the experiment group, the interventions before surgery were applied. The level of anxiety in children and parents was evaluated by Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD-R) and Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The level of parental satisfaction with the treatment process before being discharged from the hospital was evaluated by the process of treatment satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ-18). Data were analyzed by SPSS ver.13. Mean anxiety scores of the children and mothers in the experimental group were lower than the control group. Mean maternal satisfaction score of the treatment process in the experimental group was higher than the mean scores of the control group. However, in the subscales of general satisfaction, interpersonal behavior, and financial aspects of satisfaction with treatment, no statistical significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups. Based on the findings, providing toys for children and informing the parents about medical information has a major effect in reducing children's and other's anxiety and increasing maternal satisfaction with the treatment process.

Real-Time Assessment of Perioperative Behaviors in Children and Parents

Behavior in response to distressful events during outpatient pediatric surgery can contribute to postoperative maladaptive behaviors, such as temper tantrums, nightmares, bed-wetting, and attention seeking. Currently available perioperative behavioral assessment tools have limited utility in guiding interventions to ameliorate maladaptive behaviors because they cannot be used in real time, are only intended to be used during 1 phase of the experience (e.g., perioperative), or provide only a static assessment of the child (e.g., level of anxiety). A simple, reliable, real-time tool is needed to appropriately identify children and parents whose behaviors in response to distressful events at any point in the perioperative continuum could benefit from timely behavioral intervention. Our specific aims were to (1) refine the Perioperative Adult Child Behavioral Interaction Scale (PACBIS) to improve its reliability in identifying perioperative behaviors and (2) validate the refined PACBIS against several established instruments. The PACBIS was used to assess the perioperative behaviors of 89 children aged 3 to 12 years presenting for adenotonsillectomy and their parents. Assessments using the PACBIS were made during perioperative events likely to prove distressing to children and/or parents (perioperative measurement of blood pressure, induction of anesthesia, and removal of the IV catheter before discharge). Static measurements of perioperative anxiety and behavioral compliance during anesthetic induction were made using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale and the Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC). Each event was videotaped for later scoring using the Child-Adult Medical Procedure Interaction Scale-Short Form (CAMPIS-SF) and Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD). Interrater reliability using linear weighted kappa (kappa(w)) and multiple validations using Spearman correlation coefficients were analyzed. The PACBIS demonstrated good to excellent interrater reliability, with kappa(w) ranging from 0.62 to 0.94. The Child Coping and Child Distress subscores of the PACBIS demonstrated strong concurrent correlations with the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale, ICC, CAMPIS-SF, and OSBD. The Parent Positive subscore of the PACBIS correlated strongly with the CAMPIS-SF and OSBD, whereas the Parent Negative subscore showed significant correlation with the ICC. The PACBIS has strong construct and predictive validities. The PACBIS is a simple, easy to use, real-time instrument to evaluate perioperative behaviors of both children and parents. It has good to excellent interrater reliability and strong concurrent validity against currently accepted scales. The PACBIS offers a means to identify maladaptive child or parental behaviors in real time, making it possible to intervene to modify such behaviors in a timely fashion.

Análise do comportamento de crianças vítimas de queimaduras expostas a curativo sem sedação em enfermaria

O caráter aversivo de muitos procedimentos médicos é amplamente divulgado na literatura. Tais procedimentos são considerados como estressores em potencial, principalmente no caso de pacientes pediátricos vítimas de queimaduras. O acidente por queimadura é responsável por uma experiência extremamente aversiva para a criança. Associados a ele estão os efeitos negativos ao desenvolvimento adequado dessa criança, decorrentes da hospitalização e de procedimentos médicos invasivos utilizados no tratamento. As crianças vítimas de queimaduras são constantemente submetidas à realização de procedimentos, como curativos, fisioterapia, que são tidos como extremamente aversivos e inerentes ao tratamento. Este estudo teve como objetivo principal analisar os comportamentos emitidos por crianças vítimas de queimaduras durante procedimento de curativo sem sedação realizado em enfermaria. Participaram seis crianças com idades entre seis e doze anos. Utilizou-se: (a) roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturado com perguntas sobre dados sociodemográficos e questões referentes ao acidente que ocasionou a queimadura, e (b) escala de observação de distresse comportamental (Observation Scale of Distress Behavior [OSDB]). Os resultados apontam que todas as crianças apresentaram uma freqüência de comportamentos concorrentes superior a 80%, em comparação aos comportamentos não-concorrentes. Houve um maior predomínio das categorias comportamentais: protestar (43%), comportar-se de modo nervoso (24%) e chorar (20%). Dentre as categorias de comportamentos não concorrentes, as que tiveram a maior freqüência foram: falar (37,5%) e responder verbalmente (25%). Dessa forma, ressalta-se que procedimentos médicos invasivos necessitam de intervenções que visem à diminuição do sofrimento comportamental da criança.

Reducing distress for children during invasive procedures: randomized clinical trial of effectiveness of the PediSedate®

Procedural pain control remains problematic for young children, especially during anxiety-causing procedures for which children should not be deeply sedated. The PediSedate was designed to address this problem by delivering nitrous oxide in oxygen through a simple nosepiece, combined with an interactive video component, so that children can use attention and distraction with drug delivery. We conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the PediSedate for reducing children's behavioral distress in comparison with standard care in the emergency department. Secondary objectives were to assess children's acceptance, cooperation, and pain. Thirty-six children, aged 3-9 years old, who required invasive procedures associated with high levels of anxiety and low levels of pain such as sutures, IVs, and lumbar punctures were randomized to receive either the standard care or the PediSedate. The primary outcome was children's distress (observational scale of behavioral distress) that was monitored before and during the procedure. Children randomized to the PediSedate group had significantly less distress during invasive procedures (mean = 1.8, sd = 3.2) than children receiving standard care (mean = 9.3, SD = 5.6; anova, P < 0.0001). Also, children in the PediSedate group were more cooperative [chi(2)(1) = 22.05, P < 0.0001] and fewer children reported pain [chi(2)(1) = 14.45, P < 0.001]. Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of nitrous oxide sedation alone for minimizing pain and distress during invasive procedures. We have found that delivering nitrous oxide sedation via a system combined with an interactive video component is also effective. Further studies should determine which factors are dominant and determine the specific failure rate for this delivery system in comparison with other systems.

Interactive Music as a Treatment for Pain and Stress in Children During Venipuncture: A Randomized Prospective Study

The experience of venipuncture is seen by children as one of the most fearful experiences during hospitalization. Children experience anxiety both before and during the procedure. Therefore, any intervention aiming to prevent or reduce distress should focus on the entire experience of the procedure, including waiting, actual preparation, and conclusion. This study was designed to determine whether the presence of musicians, who had attended specific training to work in medical settings, could reduce distress and pain in children undergoing blood tests. Our sample population was composed of 108 unpremedicated children (4-13 years of age) undergoing blood tests. They were randomly assigned to a music group (n=54), in which the child underwent the procedure while interacting with the musicians in the presence of a parent or to a control group (n=54), in which only the parent provided support to the child during the procedure. The distress experienced by the child before, during and after the blood test was assessed with the Amended Form of the Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress, and pain experience with FACES scale (Wong Baker Scale) only after the venipuncture. Our results show that distress and pain intensity was significantly lower (p<.001; p<.05) in the music group compared with the control group before, during, and after blood sampling. This controlled study demonstrates that songs and music, performed by "professional" musicians, have a beneficial effect in reducing distress before, during, and after blood tests. This study shows, moreover, that the presence of musicians has a minor, but yet significant, effect on pain due to needle insertion.

Analysis of the validation of existing behavioral pain and distress scales for use in the procedural setting

Summary Background: Assessing procedural pain and distress in young children is difficult. A number of behavior-based pain and distress scales exist which can be used in preverbal and early-verbal children, and these are validated in particular settings and to variable degrees. Methods: We identified validated preverbal and early-verbal behavioral pain and distress scales and critically analysed the validation and reliability testing of these scales as well as their use in procedural pain and distress research. We analysed in detail six behavioral pain and distress scales: Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS), Faces Legs Activity Cry Consolability Pain Scale (FLACC), Toddler Preschooler Postoperative Pain Scale (TPPPS), Preverbal Early Verbal Pediatric Pain Scale (PEPPS), the observer Visual Analog Scale (VASobs) and the Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD). Results: Despite their use in procedural pain studies none of the behavioral pain scales reviewed had been adequately validated in the procedural setting and validation of the single distress scale was limited. Conclusions: There is a need to validate behavioral pain and distress scales for procedural use in preverbal or early-verbal children.

Analysis of the validation of existing behavioral pain and distress scales for use in the procedural setting

Assessing procedural pain and distress in young children is difficult. A number of behavior-based pain and distress scales exist which can be used in preverbal and early-verbal children, and these are validated in particular settings and to variable degrees. We identified validated preverbal and early-verbal behavioral pain and distress scales and critically analysed the validation and reliability testing of these scales as well as their use in procedural pain and distress research. We analysed in detail six behavioral pain and distress scales: Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS), Faces Legs Activity Cry Consolability Pain Scale (FLACC), Toddler Preschooler Postoperative Pain Scale (TPPPS), Preverbal Early Verbal Pediatric Pain Scale (PEPPS), the observer Visual Analog Scale (VASobs) and the Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD). Despite their use in procedural pain studies none of the behavioral pain scales reviewed had been adequately validated in the procedural setting and validation of the single distress scale was limited. There is a need to validate behavioral pain and distress scales for procedural use in preverbal or early-verbal children.

Lidocaine pretreatment for the prevention of propofol‐induced transient motor disturbances in children during anesthesia induction: a randomized controlled trial in children undergoing invasive hematologic procedures

We examined the effect of lidocaine pretreatment before propofol administration on the incidence of transient motor disturbances and on propofol requirements for anesthesia induction in infants and children undergoing repeated painful diagnostic and therapeutic hematological procedures. A series of 358 children subgrouped according to the presence of a peripheral-vein or central venous catheter were randomly assigned to receive an intravenous dose of 2% lidocaine (2.0 mg.kg(-1)) or an equivalent volume of saline, 1 min before propofol (1.5-3.5 mg.kg(-1)) injected for anesthesia induction. The incidence of spontaneous movements was significantly lower in patients pretreated with lidocaine than in those receiving placebo (2.5% vs 29%; P < 0.001, by chi-square test), as was the propofol induction dose (1.6 +/- 0.2 mg.kg(-1) vs 2.2 +/- 0.3 mg.kg(-1); P < 0.001) and pain at the injection site in patients peripheral-vein catheter (12% vs. 54%; P < 0.001). Lidocaine administration also improved children's acceptance as reported by parents on the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress administered 2 h after the procedure (6.5 +/- 2.5 vs. 9.4 +/- 3.3; P < 0.001). Bouts of coughing developed significantly more frequently after lidocaine pretreatment than after placebo (62.5% vs. 17.5%; P < 0.001). Because lidocaine pretreatment before the induction of propofol-based anesthesia decreases propofol-induced motor disturbances, lowers hypnotic requirements and reduces pain at the injection site, without inducing untoward events, thus improving children's and parental acceptance, it should become standard practice in infants and children undergoing repeated painful diagnostic and therapeutic hematological procedures.

Does cartoon movie distraction decrease burned children's pain behavior?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cartoon movie viewing as a practical and low-cost intervention to decrease burned children's pain behavior during dressing changes. Thirteen children, 4 to 12 years of age, with a mean TBSA burn of 7.9% were assessed using a reversal, single-subject experimental design. The experimental condition consisted of the presentation of a cartoon movie as a nonpharmacologic intervention in conjunction with a standardized analgesic medication. In the control condition children's pain was treated with the standardized analgesic medication only. Behavioral distress was measured during the first six dressing changes postburn with the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress. No significant effect of cartoon movie distraction on observed behavioral distress in patients was found. Interrater reliability of the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress was good (kappa =.87-.98). Wound debridement was found to be the most painful part of the dressing change. A simple, easily applicable, and low-cost distraction intervention such as presenting cartoon movies does not seem to be sufficiently powerful to measurably reduce burned children's distress during dressing changes. Findings are based on purely observational data. Inclusion of self-report measures in future studies might reveal intervention effects on anxiety and subjective pain perception.

Reliability and validity of the brief behavioral distress scale: a measure of children's distress during invasive medical procedures.

To evaluate the reliability and validity of a new observational measure of children's procedure-related distress behaviors, the Brief Behavioral Distress Scale (BBDS), to provide clinicians with an efficient, economical alternative measure that does not depend on continuous interval coding. Forty-eight randomly selected videotaped invasive medical procedures performed on children (ages 2 to 10 years) with chronic illness were coded with the BBDS and the Observation Scale of Behavioral Distress (OSBD). Reliability and validity analyses along with item analysis were conducted. Total distress scores of the BBDS were highly correlated with six of seven concurrent validity measures from multiple sources (i.e., OSBD, parent ratings, two nurse ratings, child self-report, and a physiological arousal measure, heart rate) (range r =.57-.76, p <.001-.0001). A robust association was found between the BBDS distress scores and OSBD total distress scores (r =.72, p <.0001). For two concurrent validity measures, the BBDS demonstrated stronger associations than did the OSBD. Interrater reliability was high for each BBDS distress behavior category. Based on the findings reported, the BBDS is a reliable and valid measure of children's procedure-related distress with functional utility in both research and clinical settings.