The diploma thesis entitled "Experience of children in assessment and treatment of pain in hospitalization at children's departments" deals with the topic of children's pain and its treatment. The issue is the main topic of the theoretical and practical part of the thesis and both of them focus on children at their pre-school and school age. The theoretical part of the thesis describes the current state of the issue, the psychology of a child at the pre-school and school age and also pain as such and its specifics in children. It is obvious that pain of a child is different not only in diagnostics and treatment. A child reacts differently also in experiencing pain, and also fables are often among people regarding pain that persist even these days. It is important to realize that a child is not a smaller adult, and that is why care for a child must be different. At the same time a child has to be taken as an integral human being who experiences pain and it always has to be assessed objectively according to scales and other objective methods selected according to the child's age. In this area, a big problem can be fables about children's pain that persist even in the current population. The research part of the thesis is aimed at interviews with children hospitalized at children's departments regarding their pain and also interviews with nurses. It compares information obtained from both groups of respondents and it looks for answers to questions of experiencing pain by a child, assessment by a nurse and treatment. It is apparent from the results of the research that children perceived differences in assessment and treatment of pain at home and in hospital, particularly in the change of the person that have to approach, and also in using non-pharmacological methods that are used more by mothers at home. This regards frequency and the way of pain assessment; children are not aware of regularity of assessment, they do not know the scales that the nurses mentioned as those that are used most often. Treatment of pain in hospitals is mostly pharmacological. But children do not always get the information about effect of a drug when it is administered to them. At the same time this part of the thesis looks for the possibilities and the need to create a standard for assessment and treatment of pain in children as well as the most important parts that the standards should contain. In this connection, a draft of the standard for nursing care of a child in pain was created within the thesis which makes up an appendix hereof.

O câncer é a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade em animais idosos de companhia, sendo a dor o principal sintoma relatado no homem. Objetivou-se, neste estudo, avaliar o emprego do tramadol para analgesia em cães com dor oncológica. Foram avaliados cães com câncer no período de agosto de 2004 a março de 2006, encaminhados ao Grupo de Dor do Serviço de Anestesia. Incluiu-se no estudo cães que permaneceram no mínimo 15 dias em tratamento e que, no momento de instituição da terapêutica com o tramadol, apresentaram dor igual ou maior que 4, de acordo com Escala Numérica Verbal (ENV) quando já medicados com dipirona associada ou não a antiinflamatórios não esteroidais ou esteroidais há mais de 10 (dez) dias. Avaliou-se a dor com a ENV e o escore de qualidade de vida (QV) através de escala validada para cães (Yazbek; Fantoni, 2000). Foram avaliados para o estudo 130 animais com câncer, 53 machos e 77 fêmeas, dos quais 37 obedeceram aos critérios de inclusão para análise da terapia analgésica. De acordo com a avaliação dos proprietários, a média de dor dos animais avaliados pela da ENV no momento de instituição da terapêutica com o tramadol foi de 6,11 ± 1,81 e o escore de qualidade de vida foi 21,95 ± 5,96. No primeiro retomo velificou-se melhora da dor em 31 (83,78%) animais. Neste momento foi realizada adequação da dose do tramadol, considerando-se a intensidade da dor em 20 (54,05%) dos 37 cães era superior a 4. No segundo retomo 34 (91,89%) dos animais apresentaram alívio da dor em relação à consulta inicial, sendo que 28 (75,68%) destes obtiveram ENV inferior a 4. A dose inicial preconizada do tramadol foi de 2mg/Kg a cada 8 horas, por via oral, sendo esta dose reajustada no retomo caso o valor de ENV fosse maior que 4. Classificando a eficácia do tratamento realizado com o tramadol em três categorias: alívio da dor (ENVinicial > ENVfinal e ENVfinal < 4), melhora insatisfatória (ENVinicial > ENVfinal e ENVfinal > 4) e ausência de melhora (ENVinicial &le; ENVfinal) pode-se afirmar que no primeiro retomo 83,78% e 78,28% dos pacientes, na opinião de proprietário e pesquisador respectivamente, experimentaram alguma melhora da dor. Seguindo esta mesma classificação observou-se que, no segundo retomo após acerto da dose do tramadol, o alívio da dor foi obtido em 28 (75,68%) animais na opinião de proprietário e pesquisador e melhora insatisfatória em 6 (16,21%) e 7 (18,91%) pacientes, de acordo com o proprietário e pesquisador respectivamente. Quando comparados os grupos separadamente verifica-se que o grupo DAINET (dipirona, AINE, tramadol) apresentou significante alívio da dor em relação aos primeiro retorno e a avaliação final, já os grupos DT (dipirona, tramadol) e DET (dipirona, esteróide, tramadol) apresentaram alívio da dor apenas em relação a avaliação final. Com base no alívio da dor e no aumento da qualidade de vida, pode-se concluir que o tramadol foi eficiente no tratamento da dor de grau moderada à intensa em cães portadores de câncer. / Cancer is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in companion aged dogs, being pain the principal symptom described in humans. This study aimed to evaluate the use of tramadol for analgesia in dogs with oncologic pain. Between august 2004 and marc 2006, dogs with cancer referred to the Pain Group of the Anesthesia Service were evaluated. In this study , dogs with at least fifteen days of treatment were included and that at the moment at tramadol administration, presented pain equal or above 4 according the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) when treated with dypirona associated our not to non-esteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics or steroidal for more than 10 days. Pain evaluated with the VAS and the quality of life (QV) score validated for dogs (Yazbek; Fantoni, 2000) were used. One hundred and thirty seven dogs with cancer were evaluated, but only 37 could be included the evaluation of analgesic therapy. According to the owner of the animals by means of the VAS at the begging of tramadol was 6,11 ± 1,81 and the QV score was 21,95 ± 5,96. At the first return, an improvement in pain was verified in 31 animals (83,78%). In this moment, adequacy of tramadol dose was performed, since the intensity of pain was above 4 in 20 (54,05%) animals. At the second returns 34 (91,89%) of the animals presented pain relief in relation to the first visit, being that 28 (75,68%) of the animal presented a VAS bellow 4 the initial dose o tramadol was 2mg/Kg each 8 hours orally, and the dose was readjusted in the return who the animal presented VAS above 4. Efficacy of treatment was classified in the three steps pain relief: successful pain relief (initial VAS > final VAS and final VAS < 4), unsuccessful pain relief (initial VAS > final VAS and final VAS > 4) and no pain relief (initial VAS &le; final VAS). It could be inferred that at the first return 83,78% and 78,28% of patients regarding owner and researcher opinion respectively obtained some pain relief. Following this some classification, it was observed that at the second return after adjusting the tramadol dosage, pain relieve was achieved in 28 (75,68%) of the animals the according to the owner and researcher and that an unsuccessful relief in 6 (16,21%) and 7 (18,91%) of patients respectively. When the groups were compared separately it was verified that the group DAINET (dypirona, AINE and tramadol) showed a significant pain relief in relation to the final evaluation, whereas the other two groups (DT - dypirona plus tramadol - and DET - dypirona, steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic and tramadol) presented pain relief only in relation to the final evaluation. Based on the results of pain relief and QV it could be concluded that tramadol was efficient regarding the treatment of moderate to severe pain in dogs with cancer.

M.Cur. (Intensive General Nursing) / From the professional ethical perspective the professional nurse is responsible for the treatment and nursing of a patient in acute pain by effectively handling pain in the first 48 hours post-operative following serious surgery. The professional nurse can treat patients optimally only if she has the necessary knowledge and skills with regard to the different methods of handling pain. By making effective handling of pain available to the patient, including the advantages and disadvantages, the professional nurse contributes to maintaining, promoting and restoring health. In this way she facilitates the patient in reaching his objective of obtaining wholeness and she obtains her objective of quality nursing. The aim of this study is to determine which method of handling pain, namely the intermittent bolus dose analgesics and patient controlled analgesics, offers the most advantages to the patient and the professional nurse. A quantitative, contextually descriptive research design was followed in which a survey method and a retrospective analysis of nursing and medical records were completed in order to determine the total amount of analgesic used and to investigate the haemodynamic stability while using analgesics. An analysis was done of the information collected by means of a structured pain control list. Results indicate that those patients using patient controlled analgesics use larger doses of analgesics and are haemodynamically more stable while using analgesics than those patients using the method of intermittent bolus dose analgesics. Following on the conclusion, nursing guidelines were established for nursing practice and recommendations were made for nursing practice, nursing education and further research.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Myofascial Pain Syndrome, is a common source of frustration for both healthcare practitioners and patients. It is the second most common reason for patients visiting their health care practitioner and constitutes up to 85% of the reasons for visits to pain clinics (Han and Harrison, 1997). As muscle pain is the most common work-related injury (Hubbard, 1998), it costs billions of dollars in lost revenue every year due to lost productivity (Fricton, 1990). Hong (1994), states that dry needling has been extensively studied and has been shown to decrease or even abolish myofascial pain. However post dry needling soreness is a common side effect of dry needling. Stuart (2010), states that applying kinesio tape® to a musculoskeletal injury during rehabilitation could result in a quicker recovery by allowing the body to biomechanically heal itself. Garcia-Mura et al (2009), results suggest that kinesio tape® is a method highly appropriate in the treatment of myofascial trigger points by normalising muscular function, increasing lymphatic and vascular flow, diminishing pain and aid in the correction of possible articular malalignment. The aim of this study was to determine the effects that kinesio tape® has on the trapezius trigger point one post needling, to determine whether there is an increase in the therapeutic effect of dry needling and an increased recovery time of the myofascial trigger points, with regards to changes in pressure pain threshold, pain and cervical range of motion. Participants for this study were recruited either by an advertisement which was placed on the information board of the Chiropractic Day Clinic at the University of Johannesburg as well as advertisements placed in and around the University of Johannesburg at the Doornfontein Campus. Also, many participants were made aware of this study via word of mouth from candidates already involved in the study. Thirty participants were randomly assigned into one of two groups, each consisting of 15 participants. Group A received dry needling of the trapezius trigger point one followed by the application of kinesio tape® whereas group B received dry needing of trapezius trigger point one only. Participants were treated 5 times with objective and subjective measurements taken at the 1st, 3rd and 5th visits. Objective measurements consisted of readings taken with an algometer and cervical range of motion (CROM) device. The subjective measurements consisted of the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Vernon Mior Neck Disability Index. The results of the study showed clinically and statistical significant improvements for both groups in regards to alleviating pain subjectively (Numerical Pain Rating Scale and Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index), increasing pressure pain threshold objectively (Algometer) and increasing range of motion objectively (Cervical Range of Motion device). However group A (dry needing and kinesio tape®) showed a greater improvement in both subjective and objective measurements. Based on the results of the study, it could be concluded that both dry needling on its own as well as applying kinesio tape® post dry needling can be effective in the treatment of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle, however applying kinesio tape® post dry needling seemed to be more effective.

Despite the increasing acceptance of biopsychosocial models of pain and multidisciplinary treatments for pain, relatively little is known about the specific psychological variables and social processes related to postoperative pain in children, especially in an outpatient setting. The present study examined demographic, medical, and psychological predictors of children's pain and parents' administration of pain medication. Two hundred and thirty-six families with children aged 2 to 12 undergoing day surgery participated in the study. This included a subset of 100 children aged 6 to 12, who were asked to complete self-report measures of anxiety, expected pain, coping style, and pain. Parents of all children completed measures of expected pain, expected benefit from medication, perspective taking, and negative attitudes towards analgesics. Parents and school-aged children completed pain diaries on the day of surgery and two days following surgery. The prevalence of clinically significant pain was somewhat lower than in previous studies, but both pain and undertreatment (parents who gave less than the recommended amount of pain medication) remained common. Predictors of pain were examined by multiple regression, using data from the subset of 100 children aged 6 to 12. More intense pain was related to more invasive surgery, a constellation of analgesic-related variables (more doses of analgesia given, the use of a regional block, the use of local infiltration), high anxiety, high expectations of pain, and a tendency to cope with pain by acting out and catastrophizing. Predictors of dosing were examined by multiple regression, using data from the entire sample of 236 children. Parents gave more medication when their children had invasive surgery and high levels of pain, when they expected a lot of pain, and when they were relatively unconcerned about the negative effects of pain medication. In each case, the psychological variables, entered as a block, were significant predictors of pain even after controlling for demographic and medical variables. Health care providers should be aware of psychological factors predicting pain, as they may help to identify families that are at "high risk" for pain and undermedication. In addition, the variables identified in this study are appropriate targets for further research on psychological factors that cause, mediate or contribute to pain processes, and as such may contribute to the development of theoretical models of pain and pain management. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

The financial cost for health care and lost productivity due to chronic pain has been estimated at over $70 billion per year. Researchers have attempted to discover the psychosocial and personality factors that discriminate between people who learn to cope well with chronic pain and those who have difficulty adjusting. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of perceived locus of control and dispositional optimism on chronic pain treatment outcomes. Subjects reported significantly lower post-treatment pain levels as compared with pre-treatment levels (M = 0.66, SD = 1.58), t(45) = 2.85, p = .007 (two-tailed), but decreased pain was not associated with scores on the internality dimension of the Pain Locus of Control Scale (PLOC) or on the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) (a measure of dispositional optimism). Overall, participants' increased coping ability was associated with scores on the LOT-R, but not with scores on the internality dimension of the PLOC. Subjects with the lowest pre-treatment scores on the LOT-R demonstrated significantly greater increases in post-treatment coping ability than those with the highest scores (F(2,40) = 3.93, p < .03). Participants with the highest pre-treatment scores on both the PLOC internality dimension and the LOT-R demonstrated greater post-treatment coping ability (F(2,32) = 4.65, p < .02), but not less post-treatment pain than other subjects. Participants' post-treatment LOT-R scores were significantly higher than their pre-treatment scores (M = 2.09, SD = 3.96), t(46) = 3.61, p = .001 (two-tailed), but post-treatment PLOC internality scores were not significantly higher than pre-treatment scores. Implications of these results are discussed.

The present study explored whether use of Spanish language sayings, or dichos, improved group climate within multi-ethnic chronic pain groups. Use of this form of figurative language fits within psychological theory identifying use of metaphor as a means of promoting change and creating new meaning. Further, metaphor use is consistent with the broader aims of experiential therapy. Group climate was measured by group members' self reports using the Group Climate Questionnaire-Short Form. A pilot study involving Latino Americans in medical and non-medical contexts aided in categorizing dichos as high versus low-relevance. It was anticipated that clients would rate high-relevance sessions as involving greater engagement, and less conflict and avoidance than low-relevance groups. Participants were recruited from four multidisciplinary pain management clinics offering similar programs. Once every four to six weeks, group leaders were provided with a list of either high or low-relevance dichos, and were blind to the existence of dichos categories. Three hierarchical regression analyses were employed to determine whether dichos relevance, characterized as low, mixed or highly relevant, contributed to variance in group conflict, avoidance and engagement. Dichos familiarity was the last variable entered into the regression equation, with gender, ethnicity and acculturation score entered in sequential fashion. Consistent with predictions, low-relevance groups yielded higher conflict scores than all groups combined. Also, high-relevance groups predicted lower avoidance when compared to all groups. In contrast to hypotheses, high-relevance groups predicted lower ratings of group engagement when compared to all groups. Post-hoc analysis indicated the mixed-relevance groups yielded significantly higher engagement scores than the low and high-relevance groups. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to impact on approaches to group therapy with Latino American clients, and within the chronic pain population. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are offered.

Bakgrund: Barns smärta är komplex och för att uppnå en adekvat smärtbehandling krävs erfarenhet. Det är viktigt att behandla smärta då det är ett hot mot barnets hälsa och underbehandlad smärta kan medföra svåra komplikationer. Smärta är en subjektiv upplevelse och för att uppnå en positiv smärtbehandling måste barnet tillfrågas om sin smärta. Syfte: Syftet var att belysa barns upplevelser av smärtbehandling och smärthantering vid vårdinrättningar Metod: En allmän litteraturstudie med en strukturerad sökmetod där nio artiklar granskades med hjälp av innehållsanalysens fem steg. Resultat: Presenteras i fyra kategorier: att vara delaktig och få information är betydelsefullt, lyckad farmakologisk smärtlindring bidrar till positiva upplevelser, vikten av distraktion, att få stöd och känna trygghet är centralt med underkategorierna; från föräldrarna, vid sjuksköterskans omvårdnad. Konklusion: Barn upplever att trygghet är en central del av smärtbehandlingen som skapas med hjälp av adekvat information, delaktighet, distraktion och genom föräldrarnas närvaro. För att uppnå positiva upplevelser av smärtbehandlingen behöver sjuksköterskan administrera snabb och adekvat farmakologisk behandling i kombination med distraktion anpassat efter varje enskilt barn. Behandling av smärta kräver ständig utveckling samt uppdatering av riktlinjer där barnens subjektiva upplevelse av smärta bör vara central för en lyckad utveckling av smärtbehandling. / Background: Children's pain is complex and in order to achieve adequate pain management experience is required. It is important to treat pain as it is a threat to the child's health and untreated pain can lead to severe complications. Pain is a subjective experience and in order to achieve a positive pain management, the child must be asked about the pain. Aim: The aim was to describe children's experiences of pain management and pain treatment at care facilities. Method: A general literature study with a structured search method in which nine articles were examined using the five steps of content analysis. Results: Presented in four categories: being involved and receive information is important, successful pharmacological pain treatment contributes to positive experiences, the importance of distraction, to obtain support and feeling safe is central with the subcategories: from the parents, caring from the nurse. Conclusion: Children experience that security is a central part of the pain treatment which is created with the help of information, participation, distraction and through the presence of the parents. To achieve positive experiences of pain management the nurses need to administrate fast and adequate pharmacological treatment combined with distraction adapted to each individual child. Treatment of pain requires constant development and updating of guidelines where children's subjective experience of pain should be central to the successful development of pain treatment.

Bakgrund: Opioider är en viktig del inom behandling av postoperativ smärta. Det är viktigt att patienten erhåller adekvat information om opioder för att bespara patienten lidande och för att minimera riskabelt bruk. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva patienters erfarenheter av att behandlas med opioider för postoperativ smärta. Metod: Studien utfördes som en allmän litteraturstudie med induktiv ansats. Litteraturstudien består av 17 vetenskapliga artiklar. Resultat: Resultatet genererade tre kategorier. Patienters fysiska erfarenheter innefattar patienters somatiska erfarenheter, hur de upplevde opioiders effekter och bieffekter. Patienters känslomässiga erfarenheter rymmer känslor som patienterna upplevde i samband med opioidbehandling och förutfattade meningar. Patienters erfarenheter av information omfattar vilken utbildning patienter hade erhållit av sjuksköterskan och vilka kunskapsbehov som upplevdes. Konklusion: Det var vanligt att patienterna upplevde biverkningar och uttryckte en oro över att uppleva biverkningar och att utveckla beroende. Patienterna hade även negativa föreställningar om opioider, vilket kunde resultera i att patienterna självmant reducerade sina doser eller slutade helt med sin behandling utan att rådfråga läkare. Bristfällig information om opioider resulterade i inadekvat smärtlindring. Sjuksköterskan är i behov av mer kunskap kring postoperativ opioidbehandling för att på så sätt kunna minska patienters oro, optimera smärthanteringen och minimera riskabelt handhavande av opioider. / Background: Opioids are an important part in the treatment of postoperative pain. It is important that patients receive adequate information regarding opioids to spare suffering and to minimize potentially dangerous use. Aim: The aim was to describe patients’ experiences of being treated with opioids for postoperative pain. Method: The method used was a literature review with an inductive approach, which consist of 17 scientific articles. Result: The result generated three categories. Patients’ physical experiences includes patients’ somatic experiences, how they experienced the opioids’ effects and side-effects. Patients’ emotional experiences contains emotions that patients experienced when being treated with opioids, as well as preconceptions. Patients’ experiences of information includes what education patients had received from the nurse and what knowledge they perceived to be lacking. Conclusion: It was common that patients experienced opioid-related side effects. Patients expressed fear of side effects and to become addicted. Patients’ negative views of opioids could result in poor prescription compliance. Either by reducing their dosages or quitting completely, without consulting a physician. Patients received inadequate information regarding opioids that resulted in insufficient pain treatment. The nurse is in need of more knowledge regarding postoperative opioid treatment, in order to reduce patients’ worry, optimise pain management and minimize unsafe use, storage and disposal of opioids.

BACKGROUND: Nursing care is the nurse's area of expertise, which in a neonatal care ward includes individualized, highly qualified care. Globally, nearly 30 million children are born each year who are in need of specialist care in a neonatal unit. During the care period, children can be exposed to up to 14 invasive procedures per day that can cause different types of pain. Therefore, it is very important that children are adequately managed for pain. The role of nurse in the neonatal care unit includes monitoring the newborn and administering appropriate treatment to prevent the development of disease or further deterioration. In addition to the specialized somatic care, the nurse has a key role in communication with the guardians related to the family-centered nursing. AIM: The purpose was to investigate nurse's experiences of pain management of newborns in the neonatal care unit. METHOD: A general literature study with a qualitative approach carried out with the help of thematic content analysis. RESULTS: The results and findings of the articles are presented in two main themes: Professional ability and Organizational factors and six sub-themes. CONCLUSION: Adequate pain management and family-centered care are crucial for the survival, recovery and continued health of newborns. More research is needed to implement routines at both local and global level and train nurses in pain assessment and pain relief. / BAKGRUND: Omvårdnad är sjuksköterskans kompetensområde, som på en neonatalvårdsavdelning innefattar individualiserad, högkvalificerad vård. Globalt föds närmare 30 miljoner barn per år som är i behov av specialistvård på en neonatalavdelning. Under vårdtiden kan barnen utsättas för upp till 14 invasiva ingrepp per dag som kan orsaka olika typer av smärta. Därför är det av stor vikt att barnen smärthanteras på ett adekvat vis. Rollen som sjuksköterska på neonatalvårdsavdelning inkluderar övervakning av det nyfödda barnet samt administrering av lämplig behandling för att förhindra utveckling av sjukdom eller ytterligare försämring. Utöver den specialiserade somatiska vården har sjuksköterskan en nyckelroll i kommunikationen med vårdnadshavarna relaterat till den familjecentrerade omvårdnaden. SYFTE: Syftet var att undersöka sjuksköterskors erfarenheter kring smärthantering av nyfödda barn inom neonatalvården. METOD: En allmän litteraturstudie med kvalitativ ansats utförd med hjälp av tematisk innehållsanalys. RESULTAT: Artiklarnas resultat och fynd presenteras inom två huvudteman: Professionell förmåga och Organisatoriska faktorer och sex subteman. SLUTSATS: Adekvat smärthantering och familjecentrerad omvårdnad är avgörande för de nyfödda barnens överlevnad, återhämtning och fortsatta hälsa. Mer forskning behövs för att på både lokal och global nivå implementera rutiner och utbilda sjuksköterskor i smärtbedömning och smärtlindring.