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Updated: Nov 17, 2025
An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain PPOP
Published on: January 27, 2010
Using an App to monitor postoperative pain at home in pediatric patients
Emanuela Tiozzo1, Valentina Biagioli1, Matilde Brancaccio1
1Health Professional Development, Continuing Education and Research Service, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Insights
A study found that using a dedicated app for pain assessment in pediatric patients at home after surgery was effective. Health professionals can use this app to empower children and parents in managing postoperative pain.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pain Management
- Digital Health
Background:
- Postoperative pain assessment in children at home presents challenges.
- Traditional paper-and-pencil methods may have limitations in accuracy and engagement.
- Digital tools offer potential for improved pain monitoring and reporting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence, intensity, and characteristics of pediatric postoperative pain at home.
- To compare the effectiveness of a mobile application versus a paper-and-pencil approach for pain assessment.
- To identify factors associated with higher pain intensity in pediatric patients post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- Prospective comparative study of 487 pediatric patients undergoing surgery.
- Pain assessment using the 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital (OPBG) tool or Faces, Legs, Arms, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale.
- Patients/parents used either a paper-and-pencil pain scale or a dedicated mobile application (App).
Main Results:
- 44% of participants reported pain within 24 hours post-surgery; 22% reported pain between 1-5 days.
- Higher pain intensity scores were associated with the App group, self-assessment, and the OPBG tool.
- The App demonstrated effectiveness in facilitating home-based pain assessment.
Conclusions:
- A dedicated mobile application can effectively facilitate pediatric postoperative pain assessment at home.
- Empowering pediatric patients and their parents with digital tools can improve pain management strategies.
- Further research into digital health interventions for pediatric pain is warranted.
Abstract:
A prospective comparative study was conducted in 487 pediatric patients (69% male, mean age = 6.4 ± 4.0) to evaluate (a) the incidence, intensity, and characteristics of pain in pediatric patients at home during the first 24 hours and 5 days after surgery and (b) the factors associated with higher pain intensity, including the impact of an application (App) compared to the paper-and-pencil approach. Postoperative pain was assessed by patients or their parents at home using the 'Bambino Gesù' Children's Hospital (Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, OPBG) tool for participants aged 4-17 years or the Faces, Legs, Arms, Cry, and Consolability scale for participants less than four years old. Participants were assigned to two groups: those who used the paper-and-pencil version of the pain scale and those who used the App. Overall, 209 of the 472 (44%) participants reported pain during the first 24 hours, and 92 of the 420 (22%) reported pain between one and five days after surgery. Higher pain intensity scores were associated with being in the App group, directly assessing own pain, and using the OPBG tool. The App was effective in facilitating pain assessment. Health professionals could empower pediatric patients and their parents in assessing pain at home through a dedicated App.
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