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Imagery-induced relaxation in children's postoperative pain relief: a randomized pilot study
Tarja Pölkki1, Anna-Maija Pietilä, Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen
1Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. tarja.polkki@nic.fi
Insights
Imagery and relaxation techniques significantly reduced postoperative pain in hospitalized children. While nurses underestimated pain, the imagery CD offered short-term pain relief, highlighting its potential in pediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pain Management
- Psychological Interventions
Background:
- Postoperative pain is a significant concern for hospitalized children.
- Effective pain management strategies are crucial for pediatric recovery.
- Non-pharmacological interventions like imagery and relaxation show promise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an imagery and relaxation intervention for postoperative pain relief in children.
- To compare patient-reported pain with nurse-assessed pain.
- To identify factors influencing pain intensity in pediatric surgical patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 60 children (aged 8-12) undergoing surgery.
- Experimental group listened to an imagery CD; control group received standard care.
- Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) assessed pain pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 1 hour later.
Main Results:
- Children using the imagery CD reported significantly lower pain intensity (p < .001) compared to the control group.
- No significant difference was found in nurse-assessed pain scores.
- Pain intensity correlated with the type and duration of surgery; nurses tended to underestimate pain.
Conclusions:
- An imagery trip CD can effectively reduce children's postoperative pain in a hospital setting.
- The intervention provides short-term pain relief.
- Healthcare providers should be mindful of potential underestimation of pediatric pain by nurses.
Abstract:
This study aimed to test the efficacy of imagery and relaxation in hospitalized children's postoperative pain relief. Sixty children aged 8-12 years who had undergone appendectomy or upper/lower limb surgery and had been randomly assigned to the experimental group (n(1) = 30) listened to an imagery trip CD, whereas those in the control group (n(2) = 30) received standard care. An investigator-developed questionnaire was used, and the intensity of pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale: before (Phase 1), immediately after (Phase 2), and 1 hour after (Phase 3) intervention or standard care. The children in the experimental group reported having significantly less pain (p < .001) than the control children based on a comparison of VAS pain scores in Phases 1 and 2. There were no significant differences in nurse-assessed pain scores. The type and time of operation were related to pain intensity in children. The nurses underestimated the pain of pediatric patients. The imagery trip CD can be used to reduce children's postoperative pain in a hospital setting, although its effect is short-lasting.