title: Imagery-induced relaxation in children's postoperative pain relief: a randomized pilot study.
abstract: This study aimed to test the efficacy of imagery and relaxation in hospitalized children's postoperative pain relief. Sixty children aged 8-12 years who had undergone appendectomy or upper/lower limb surgery and had been randomly assigned to the experimental group (n(1) = 30) listened to an imagery trip CD, whereas those in the control group (n(2) = 30) received standard care. An investigator-developed questionnaire was used, and the intensity of pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale: before (Phase 1), immediately after (Phase 2), and 1 hour after (Phase 3) intervention or standard care. The children in the experimental group reported having significantly less pain (p < .001) than the control children based on a comparison of VAS pain scores in Phases 1 and 2. There were no significant differences in nurse-assessed pain scores. The type and time of operation were related to pain intensity in children. The nurses underestimated the pain of pediatric patients. The imagery trip CD can be used to reduce children's postoperative pain in a hospital setting, although its effect is short-lasting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. tarja.polkki@nic.fi
authors.forename: Tarja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pölkki
authors.forename: Anna-Maija
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pietilä
authors.forename: Katri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vehviläinen-Julkunen
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Laukkala
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kiviluoma
mesh_terms: D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005121:Extremities / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome