Ela J Hyland1, Rachel D'Cruz2, John G Harvey3, Jordyn Moir4, Christina Parkinson4, Andrew J A Holland3. 1. The Children's Hospital at Westmead Burns Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Rd and Hainsworth St, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. Electronic address: ela.hyland@gmail.com. 2. The Children's Hospital at Westmead Burns Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Rd and Hainsworth St, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. 3. The Children's Hospital at Westmead Burns Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Rd and Hainsworth St, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. The Children's Hospital at Westmead Burns Research Institute, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Rd and Hainsworth St, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; The Department of Child Life Therapy, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Rd and Hainsworth St, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Burns remain extremely painful and distressing in young children. The consequences of poorly managed pain and anxiety can be life-long. Whilst Child Life Therapy (CLT) has been shown to be effective in many situations, few studies have looked at the effectiveness of CLT in regard to reducing pain and anxiety in children undergoing burn dressing changes. METHODS: A prospective, randomised controlled trial was conducted, comparing CLT versus standard care in relation to pain and anxiety scores of children undergoing their initial burn dressing change. Pain and anxiety were assessed by an independent observer and questionnaires completed by the child, parent/caregiver and nursing staff. RESULTS:50 subjects were recruited in each treatment group; median age 2.3 years (CLT) and 2.2 years (standard care). The median total body surface area (TBSA) burnt was 0.8% (CLT) and 0.5% (standard care). The majority were partial thickness dermal burns (88% CLT, 94% standard care). Rates of parent anxiety and pre-procedural child pain and anxiety were similar. Combined and scaled pain and anxiety scores in the CLT group were significantly less than in the standard treatment group (p=0.03). Whilst pain was significantly better in the CLT group (p=0.02), fear scores, wound outcomes and the need for skin grafting were not statistically different in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a Child Life Therapist, with their ability to adapt to the environment, the child and their family, significantly reduced the experience of pain during paediatric burn dressings.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION: Burns remain extremely painful and distressing in young children. The consequences of poorly managed pain and anxiety can be life-long. Whilst Child Life Therapy (CLT) has been shown to be effective in many situations, few studies have looked at the effectiveness of CLT in regard to reducing pain and anxiety in children undergoing burn dressing changes. METHODS: A prospective, randomised controlled trial was conducted, comparing CLT versus standard care in relation to pain and anxiety scores of children undergoing their initial burn dressing change. Pain and anxiety were assessed by an independent observer and questionnaires completed by the child, parent/caregiver and nursing staff. RESULTS: 50 subjects were recruited in each treatment group; median age 2.3 years (CLT) and 2.2 years (standard care). The median total body surface area (TBSA) burnt was 0.8% (CLT) and 0.5% (standard care). The majority were partial thickness dermal burns (88% CLT, 94% standard care). Rates of parent anxiety and pre-procedural childpain and anxiety were similar. Combined and scaled pain and anxiety scores in the CLT group were significantly less than in the standard treatment group (p=0.03). Whilst pain was significantly better in the CLT group (p=0.02), fear scores, wound outcomes and the need for skin grafting were not statistically different in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a Child Life Therapist, with their ability to adapt to the environment, the child and their family, significantly reduced the experience of pain during paediatric burn dressings.
Authors: Alix Woolard; Nicole T M Hill; Matthew McQueen; Lisa Martin; Helen Milroy; Fiona M Wood; Indijah Bullman; Ashleigh Lin Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-12-14 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Jung-Hee Ryu; Sung-Hee Han; Sang Mee Hwang; Jiyoun Lee; Sang-Hwan Do; Jin-Hee Kim; Jin-Woo Park Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2022-04-07