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Comparison of two pain scales in Indian children
Lavanya Subhashini1, Manju Vatsa, Rakesh Lodha
1College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
Insights
The Faces Pain Scale and Color Analogue Scale are effective for measuring procedural pain in Indian children aged 6-12. Both scales showed strong agreement, though child, parent, and healthcare professional perceptions varied.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pain Management
- Psychometrics in Children
- Clinical Assessment Tools
Background:
- Accurate pain assessment in children is crucial for effective management.
- Existing pain scales require validation in diverse pediatric populations.
- Understanding inter-rater reliability of pain scales is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the Faces Pain Scale and Color Analogue Scale in children aged 6-12 years.
- To assess procedural pain perception among children, their parents, and healthcare professionals.
- To evaluate the suitability of these scales for Indian pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, descriptive correlational study involving 181 children (aged 6-12).
- Children underwent selected painful procedures (e.g., venipuncture, injections).
- Pain severity was assessed by child, parents, and healthcare professionals using Faces Pain Scale and Color Analogue Scale.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation (R > 0.8) was found between the Faces Pain Scale and Color Analogue Scale.
- Fair to moderate positive correlations (R = 0.29–0.58) existed between child's pain perception and assessments by parents/healthcare professionals.
- Both scales demonstrated appropriateness for measuring pain intensity.
Conclusions:
- The Faces Pain Scale and Color Analogue Scale are suitable instruments for assessing pain in Indian children aged 6-12.
- These scales provide reliable measures of procedural pain intensity in pediatric patients.
- Further research can explore pain management strategies based on these validated scales.
Objective:
To compare the faces pain scale and color analogue scale among children aged 6-12 years undergoing selected procedures (venipuncture, intravenous cannulation, intramuscular injection, lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspiration) and to compare the procedural pain in a child as perceived by the child, parents and health care professionals using the above mentioned scales.
Methods:
This was a prospective, descriptive correlational study of children aged 6-12 years, who had undergone selected procedures. Children were assessed for their pain severity using Faces Pain Scale and Color Analogue Scale. Parents and health care professionals also independently assessed the child's pain using the same scales.
Results:
181 children who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were enrolled in the study. There was a significant positive correlation (R = >0.8) between both the pain scales. There was fair to moderate positive correlation (R = 0.29 to 0.58) of pain perception of child with parents and health care professionals.
Conclusions:
Faces Pain Scale and Color Analogue Scales seem to be appropriate instruments for measuring pain intensity among Indian children aged 6-12 years undergoing selected procedures.
