The relationship between fear and pain levels during needle procedures in children from the parents' perspective

• Published in: European journal of pain 2016-02, Vol.20 (2), p.223-230
• Main Authors: Hedén, L., von Essen, L., Ljungman, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; Child, Preschool; Fear - psychology; Female; Humans; Injections - psychology; Male; Needles; Pain - psychology; Pain Measurement; Parents - psychology
• ISSN: 1090-3801; 1532-2149; 1532-2149
• DOI: 10.1002/ejp.711

Background The primary objective was to determine the levels of and potential relationships between procedure‐related fear and pain in children. Secondary objectives were to determine if there are associations between the child's age and sex, diagnostic group, time since diagnosis, time since last needle insertion, cortisol levels and the parent's fear level in relation to fear and pain. Methods The child's level of pain and fear was reported by parents on 0–100 mm visual analogue scales (VAS). One hundred and fifty‐one children were included consecutively when undergoing routine needle insertion into a subcutaneously implanted intravenous port. All children were subjected to one needle insertion following topical anaesthesia (EMLA) application. The effect of the child's age and sex, diagnostic group, time since diagnosis, time since last needle insertion, cortisol change levels and the parent's fear level, on fear and pain levels was investigated with multiple regression analysis. Results The needle‐related fear level (VAS mean 28 mm) was higher than the needle‐related pain level (VAS mean 17 mm) when topical anaesthesia is used according to parents' reports (n = 151, p