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The impact of a computer network on pediatric pain and anxiety: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Gary Holden1, David J Bearison, Diane C Rode
1New York University, Ehrenkranz School of Social Work, Room 407, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003, USA. gary.holden@nyu.edu
Insights
Starbright World (SBW), an interactive network for hospitalized children, did not significantly reduce pain or anxiety in this randomized controlled trial. Further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in pediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Health Informatics
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Hospitalized children often experience significant pain, anxiety, and distress.
- Interactive computer networks are being explored as supportive interventions for pediatric patients.
- Starbright World (SBW) is a private, interactive network designed for hospitalized children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of Starbright World (SBW) in reducing pain intensity, pain aversiveness, and anxiety in hospitalized children.
- To present findings from the third randomized controlled clinical trial (RCCT) investigating SBW.
- To aggregate results from 39 replicated single system designs (SSDs) using meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCCT) comparing SBW with standard clinical practice.
- Utilized 39 replicated single system designs (SSDs).
- Collected self-reports of pain intensity, pain aversiveness, and anxiety from child participants.
Main Results:
- Children in the SBW condition reported slightly lower levels of pain intensity, pain aversiveness, and anxiety compared to the standard care group.
- These observed differences did not reach statistical significance.
- Meta-analysis of the SSD findings supported the non-significant trend.
Conclusions:
- The third RCCT of Starbright World (SBW) did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in pain or anxiety for hospitalized children.
- The findings suggest SBW may offer a slight benefit, but further investigation is warranted.
- The study discusses the implications of these results in the context of previous SBW effectiveness studies.
Abstract:
This was the third randomized controlled clinical trial (RCCT) of Starbright World (SBW)--a private, interactive computer network for hospitalized children. The present randomized controlled clinical trial (RCCT) consisted of a series of 39 replicated single system designs (SSDs) that compared children's self-reports of pain intensity, pain aversiveness and anxiety in the SBW condition with those in a stan- dard clinical practice condition. Findings from the SSDs were aggregated using meta-analysis. Although children experienced slightly less pain intensity, pain aversiveness, and anxiety in the SBW condition, these results did not achieve statistical significance. The relationship of these findings to the two prior studies of the effectiveness of SBW is discussed.