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Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
Published on: December 20, 2011
Perception of pain during electromyography in children: A prospective study
Nahla M Alshaikh1, Jeimmy Pinzon Martinez1, Matthew C Pitt1
1Neurophysiology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, WC1N 3JH, UK.
Insights
Pediatric electrodiagnostic examinations are often perceived as painful. However, most children find the discomfort comparable to or less than venipuncture, easing patient and parent anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pain Assessment
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Electrodiagnostic examinations are commonly perceived as painful by pediatric patients.
- Accurate assessment of pain during these procedures is crucial for children, parents, and clinicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively assess and quantify the pain experienced by pediatric patients during electrodiagnostic examinations.
- To compare the discomfort of nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography (EMG) with venipuncture.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving pediatric patients over a 3-month period at a single center.
- Pain was evaluated using validated scales tailored to the child's age for both nerve conduction studies and needle EMG.
- Pain scores were compared to those of venipuncture.
Main Results:
- In 100 cases, the recorded pain was in the moderate range.
- Sixty-six percent of patients reported pain equivalent to or less than venipuncture.
- Electromyography (EMG) involving more than one muscle or a proximal muscle was more painful for children under 4 years old.
Conclusions:
- Physicians should reassure patients and parents that the pain from electrodiagnostic tests is generally not significantly different from venipuncture.
- Understanding pain perception can help alleviate anxiety associated with these necessary examinations.
Introduction:
Electrodiagnostic examination is perceived as a painful examination. An accurate assessment of its discomfort would be valuable to children, their parents, and clinicians.
Methods:
We performed a prospective study of pediatric patients seen over 3 months at 1 center. Pain was scored for both nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography (EMG) on validated scales, depending on the child's age and in comparison with venipuncture.
Results:
In 100 cases the pain recorded fell within the moderate range on the scoring systems used. Sixty-six percent of patients described the pain to be equivalent or less than that with venipuncture. EMG of > 1 muscle or a proximal muscle produced more pain in patients <4 years of age.
Conclusions:
When discussing the test with patients, the physician should reassure the patient and parents regarding the degree of pain that may be encountered, which is not materially different from venipuncture. Muscle Nerve 54: 422-426, 2016.
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