Nonpharmacological interventions for managing postoperative pain and anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial

Edlin Glane Mathias, Mamatha Shivananda Pai*, Vijay Kumar, Dinesh Narayanakurup, Malavika Kulkarni, Vasudeva Guddattu, Ann Cathrine Bramhagen, Baby S. Nayak, Anice George

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Hospitalizations and surgical procedures are unpleasant for both children and their parents. There-fore, postoperative pain assessments and management are less commonly performed in younger children than in adults. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of nonpharmacological interventions on postoperative pain and anxiety in children. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 160 children were randomly allocated to experimental (n=80) and control (n=80) groups. The children in the experimental group received age-appropriate distraction interventions for 3 postoperative days along with standard care. Children in the control group received standard care only. Each child was assessed for pain using EVENDOL pain scale, while their anxiety was measured using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale. The Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. Results: The children in the experimental group showed significantly decreased pain, anxiety, and physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen satu-ration) compared to those in the control group. Significant intergroup differences were noted in the mean and standard deviation values of the pain, anxiety, and physiological parameters. Conclusion: The distraction interventions provided by nurses reduced the pain and anxiety levels and improved the postoperative recovery among children.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)677-685
Number of pages9
JournalClinical and Experimental Pediatrics
Volume67
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12-2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Pediatrics

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