A randomized controlled trial will be performed at the Ngwelezana Hospital, Empangeni, South Africa. Paediatric patients between the age of 5-12 years with minor and superficial partial thickness burn injuries who require dressing changes in the outpatient clinic, without sedation, will be randomized into two groups: the control group will receive standard practice of care which concerns a dressing change without any distraction methods, and the intervention group will receive distraction by use of a kaleidoscope as additional method for potential pain alleviation. Patients in both groups will receive paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when required according to hospital protocol. The primary outcome will be the change in pain score from pre-procedural to pain score during the dressing change and will be analysed with a linear regression analysis. Additionally, sub analyses will be performed to evaluate potentially modifying factors on the treatment effect. This will also be evaluated with a linear regression analysis. This will be correlated with care giver and health care worker observational pain scores.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
126
À kaleidoscope is an optical device consisting of mirrors that reflect images of bits of coloured glass in a symmetrical geometric design through a viewer. A kaleidoscope was selected as the non-electronic method of distraction, because of its wide availability due to low costs, its evolving and colourful visual stimuli, the fact that is blocks out any visualisations from the environment when used properly, and because it requires active participation (i.e., greater attention) from the subject.
The difference in patient-reported pain score
The patient-reported pain score after the dressing change minus the pain score before the procedure. This pain score is rated on the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale from 0-10.
Time frame: Baseline, before wound cleaning (0 minutes) and after dressing change (within 10 minutes)
Observational pain score
The observational pain score is measured during the dressing change on the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale from 0 to 10. This score is corrected by the baseline (patiënt-reported) pain score before the dressing change.
Time frame: During the dressing change procedure (0 minutes to 5 minutes)
Global satisfaction with treatment
Global satisfaction about the treatment is assessed among the patient's caregiver and healthcare provider. Global satisfaction will be rated on a 1-5 scale based on the question: "Considering pain relief, side effects, and emotional status, how satisfied were you with the dressing change your child underwent?\"
Time frame: After dressing change (within 10 minutes)
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