Cross-sectional study on differences in pain perception and behavioral distress during venipuncture between italian and chinese children.

Venipuncture is perhaps the scariest aspect of hospitalization for children as it causes pain and high levels of behavioral distress. Pain is a complex experience which is also influenced by social factors such as cultural attitudes, beliefs and traditions. Studies focusing on ethnic/cultural differences in pain perception and behavioral distress show controversial results, in particular with regards to children.

Can presence of a dog reduce pain and distress in children during venipuncture?

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of animal-assisted intervention as distraction for reducing children's pain and distress before, during, and after standard blood collection procedure. Fifty children (ages 4-11 years) undergoing venipuncture were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG; n = 25) or to the control group (CG; n = 25). The blood collection procedure was carried on the children in the EG arm in the presence of a dog, whereas no dog was present when venipuncture was conducted on children in CG.

Perception of venipuncture pain in children suffering from chronic diseases.

Background: Venipuncture pain in children results from a variety of co-factors which increase the intensity of the nociceptive stimulus. Among them, anticipatory anxiety plays an important role. Children with chronic diseases undergo invasive procedures and venipuncture more often than other children.

Assessing pain in hospital in-patients: a cross-sectional study in Tuscany, Italy.

Guidelines Towards a Pain-Free Hospital, published in 2001 in Italy, determined an increasing spread of No-Pain Hospital Committees across the country and supported a more effective pain control in hospital. However, few hospitals adopted such protocols. To date, a thorough investigation on quality of pain management documentation is lacking.

Parental presence, clowns or sedative premedication to treat preoperative anxiety in children: what could be the most promising option?

Background And Objectives: A significant number of children undergo surgery experience high levels of anxiety in the presurgical period. The aim of this study is to investigate which intervention is more effective in reducing preoperative anxiety.

Methods/materials: The sample was composed of 75 subjects (aged 5-12 years) who had to undergo minor day surgery.

Use of non-conventional nurses' attire in a paediatric hospital: a quasi-experimental study.

Aims: To test the impact of a multi-coloured non-conventional attire on a population of children admitted to a paediatric hospital.

Design: Quasi-experimental before-after controlled study.

Background: It has been suggested that non-conventional nurses' uniforms in paediatric settings may contribute to lowering children's distrust towards healthcare providers and reduce fear.

Interactive music as a treatment for pain and stress in children during venipuncture: a randomized prospective study.

Objective: The experience of venipuncture is seen by children as one of the most fearful experiences during hospitalization. Children experience anxiety both before and during the procedure. Therefore, any intervention aiming to prevent or reduce distress should focus on the entire experience of the procedure, including waiting, actual preparation, and conclusion.

Animal-Assisted Activity at A. Meyer Children's Hospital: A Pilot Study.

The authors systematically studied the introduction of animal-assisted activity into a children's hospital in Italy. This pilot study examined the reactions of children, their parents and the hospital staff and the hospital-wide infection rate before and after the introduction of animals. The SAM (self-assessment manikin), three behavioral scales, analysis of children's graphic productions, a parent questionnaire and a staff questionnaire were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

Clown doctors as a treatment for preoperative anxiety in children: a randomized, prospective study.

Background: The induction of anesthesia is one of the most stressful moments for a child who must undergo surgery: it is estimated that 60% of children suffer anxiety in the preoperative period. Preoperative anxiety is characterized by subjective feelings of tension, apprehension, nervousness, and worry. These reactions reflect the child's fear of separation from parents and home environment, as well as of loss of control, unfamiliar routines, surgical instruments, and hospital procedures.

Painful procedures in children with cancer: comparison of moderate sedation and general anesthesia for lumbar puncture and bone marrow aspiration.

Background: The study was conducted to compare moderate sedation (MS) with general anesthesia (GA) in the management of frequently performed lumbar puncture or bone marrow aspiration (BMA) during the treatment of childhood cancer.

Procedure: The MS (14 patients for 30 procedures) was managed by non-anesthesiologists (combined nitrous oxide-midazolam +/- non-pharmacological techniques). The GA was managed by anesthesiologists (17 patients for 30 procedures).

Anaesthesia induction in children: a psychological evaluation of the efficiency of parents' presence.

Background: The induction of anaesthesia for surgery is a stressful time for both child and parents. To treat preoperative anxiety in children, pharmacological methods (premedication) and behavioural methods (the presence of parents during the induction of anaesthesia) have been used, both independently and in combination. The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of both premedication and parental presence on preoperative anxiety in a homogeneous population.