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Published on: January 27, 2010
Effect of Child Position on Pain Experience During Lumbar Puncture: A Prospective Pilot Study
Philippine Chavanes1, Joy Benadiba1, Hervé Caci2
1Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University Hospital of Archet-2.
Insights
This study investigated patient positioning during lumbar puncture (LP) to reduce pain and anxiety in children. Results showed no significant difference in pain or anxiety between the lateral decubitus and sitting positions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Pain Management
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Lumbar puncture (LP) is a common procedure in pediatric care.
- Assessing patient positioning for optimal pain and anxiety management during LP is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of patient positioning on pain and anxiety during lumbar puncture in children.
- To compare the lateral decubitus position versus the sitting position for pediatric lumbar puncture.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with children aged 2-18 years undergoing therapeutic LPs.
- Participants were randomized to either the lateral decubitus or sitting position for the procedure.
- Pain was measured using the Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale for younger children and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for older children. Anxiety was also assessed.
Main Results:
- Twenty-eight pediatric patients were included in the study.
- No statistically significant differences in pain or anxiety scores were observed between the lateral decubitus and sitting positions for lumbar puncture.
- Pain scores showed variability within age groups and across repeated procedures, but position did not emerge as a determining factor.
Conclusions:
- The study did not find evidence to support that the lateral decubitus position is superior to the sitting position in reducing pain and anxiety during pediatric lumbar puncture.
- Further research may be needed to explore other factors influencing pain and anxiety during this procedure.
Background:
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of patient's position on pain and anxiety during lumbar puncture (LP).
Materials And Methods:
A randomized controlled trial included children between 2 and 18 years old receiving at least 2 therapeutic LPs. They were randomly assigned to undergo lateral decubitus position or sitting position LP. Primary outcome was the maximum LP-induced pain, secondary endpoint the maximum LP-induced anxiety score.
Results:
Twenty-eight patients were randomized. For patients under 6 years old, mean of Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, and Consolability were 2.8/10±3.0 (median=1) at first time and 1.5±1.7 (median=1) at second time. For patients 6 to 18 years old, mean of visual analog scale were 2.2±2.2 (median=1.5) at first time and 3.2±2.8 (median=3) at second time. There was no significant differences according to position on anxiety among children.
Conclusions:
Results did not demonstrate whether lateral decubitus position could generate less pain and anxiety than sitting position.
