title: Audiovisual distraction reduces pain perception during aural microsuction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aural microsuction is a common ear, nose and throat procedure used in the outpatient setting. Some patients, however, find it difficult to tolerate owing to discomfort, pain or noise. This study evaluated the effect of audiovisual distraction on patients' pain perception  and overall satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was conducted for patients attending our aural care clinic requiring aural toileting of bilateral mastoid cavities over a three-month period. All microsuction was performed by a single clinical nurse specialist. Any patients with active  infection were excluded. For each patient, during microsuction of one ear, they watched the procedure on a television screen while for the other ear they did not view the procedure. All patients received the same real time explanations during microsuction of both ears. After the procedure,  each patient completed a visual analogue scale (VAS) to rate the pain they experienced for each ear, with and without access to the television screen. They also documented their preference and reasons why.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 37 patients were included in the study. The mean pain score  for patients viewing the procedure was 2.43 compared with a mean of 3.48 for patients with no television view. This difference in patients' pain perception was statistically lower in the group who observed the procedure on the television (p=0.003), consistent with the majority of patients  reporting a preference to viewing their procedure (65%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Audiovisual distraction significantly lowered patients' VAS pain scores during aural microsuction. This simple intervention can therefore reduce patients' perceived pain and help improve acceptance of this procedure.
authors: Barts Health NHS Trust, UK. natashamasood1@aol.com
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Choudhury
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Amer
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Daniels
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Wareing
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D058748:Pain Perception; D057240:Patient Preference; D010470:Perceptual Masking / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D013690:Television; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods