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The Electronic Faces Thermometer Scale (eFTS)-Construct Validity for Pain Assessment in Pediatric Postoperative Care
Angelica Höök1,2, Mia Hylén3,4, Maria Björk5
1Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Insights
A new digital pain scale, the electronic Faces Thermometer Scale, effectively assesses pain in children post-surgery. This validated tool aligns with children's digital use for better pain management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pain management
- Digital health technologies
- Clinical assessment tools
Background:
- Undertreatment of pain in children necessitates improved assessment tools.
- Digital scales can enhance pain reporting by aligning with children's technology use.
- The electronic Faces Thermometer Scale (eFTS) was developed for digital pain self-reporting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the electronic Faces Thermometer Scale (eFTS) for convergent and discriminant validity.
- To assess the eFTS in a pediatric postoperative setting.
- To determine if the eFTS is a reliable digital pain assessment tool.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 88 children in a pediatric surgery department, with 716 assessments.
- Convergent validity was tested by comparing eFTS with the Colored Analogue Scale and Faces Pain Scale Revised.
- Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing painful and non-painful situations using eFTS.
Main Results:
- The eFTS showed statistically significant correlations (Kendall's Tau B: 0.61-0.79) with established scales.
- The scale effectively discriminated pain across age groups and genders.
- Significant differences were found between pre- and postoperative pain assessments (Clopper-Pearson: 0.70-0.90).
Conclusions:
- The electronic Faces Thermometer Scale is a valid digital tool for pediatric postoperative pain self-reporting.
- The eFTS demonstrates strong convergent and discriminant validity.
- This digital scale can improve pain assessment in pediatric surgical care.
Background:
Pain in children is undertreated. An assessment scale co-designed with children, parents, and health care professionals could lead to more effective pain assessments and treatment strategies aimed at reducing pain and pain-related symptoms. There are analogue scales validated for self-report of pain in children, but today, children regularly use digital technology, which healthcare should align with. The newly developed electronic Faces Thermometer Scale is a digital assessment scale that needs further validation before it may be recommended for self-reporting pain intensity.
Aims:
The study aimed to determine the convergent and discriminant validity of a new digital pain assessment scale in a pediatric postoperative setting.
Methods:
The study was performed at a pediatric surgery department in southern Sweden. A total of 88 children were included, generating 716 assessments. Convergent validity was established by comparing the well-validated Colored Analogue Scale and Faces Pain Scale Revised with the electronic Faces Thermometer Scale. Pain assessments were conducted at three different time points: one before surgery, one once the participant became alert and aware, and one 30-45 min after the second time point. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Discriminant validity was established by comparing a potential non-painful situation with a painful situation using the electronic Faces Thermometer Scale.
Results:
The agreement between the scales at different time points, as well as across different ages and gender, showed a statistically significant correlation: Kendall's Tau B correlation coefficient varied between 0.61 and 0.79 at different time points. The electronic Faces Thermometer Scale was able to discriminate pain across different age groups and genders. There was a statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative assessments, and the Clopper-Pearson proportion ranged from 0.70 to 0.90.
Conclusions:
The electronic Faces Thermometer Scale provides a valid digital scale for self-report of pain within pediatric postoperative care.
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