Procedural pain practices at a Brazilian pediatric ward: an observational study

Julia Maria Marques; Regina Helena Vitale Torkomian Joaquim; Daniel Ferreira Dahdah; Bruna Luiza Thesolim; Pâmela Bertollo Ferreira; Cristina Ortiz Sobrinho Valete

doi:10.63231/2595-0118.202689-en

Original Article

Procedural pain practices at a Brazilian pediatric ward: an observational study

Práticas no tratamento da dor procedural em uma enfermaria pediátrica brasileira: estudo observacional

Julia Maria Marques; Regina Helena Vitale Torkomian Joaquim; Daniel Ferreira Dahdah; Bruna Luiza Thesolim; Pâmela Bertollo Ferreira; Cristina Ortiz Sobrinho Valete

http://dx.doi.org/10.63231/2595-0118.202689-en BrJP, vol.9, e202689, 2026

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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Painful procedures are common in pediatrics and are frequently done without appropriate pain management. This study aims to evaluate the use of both pharmacological (topical lidocaine) and non-pharmacological interventions for painful procedures in children and adolescents in a pediatric ward.

METHODS: This was a non-participant observation study conducted in a pediatric ward of a university hospital after training on pain management. Data regarding children’s characteristics, pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies used, pain assessment, and procedures' characteristics were obtained. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses investigated the outcome measure (procedures performed with both strategies) and were calculated in Stata 19.0, considering p<0.05. The Institutional Research Ethics Committee approved this study.

RESULTS: Eighty-two procedures were analyzed. The results revealed that topical lidocaine was used in 43 (52.4%), and non-pharmacological interventions were used in 29 (35.3%). In 18 (21.9%), both strategies were used, with health professionals who participated in the training having applied them more frequently (p=0.01), and with lower observed pain scores assessed before (p=0.03) and immediately after the procedure (p=0.01). No difference was observed for procedure duration (p=0.99) or success of the procedure (p=0.47) between the groups.

CONCLUSION: Pharmacological interventions prevailed over non-pharmacological approaches. While the overall adoption of both strategies remained low, their use was associated with reduced pain scores, without compromising the duration or success of the procedure.

Keywords

Child, Pain management, Procedural pain

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Procedimentos dolorosos são frequentes na enfermaria pediátrica e muitas vezes são realizados sem manejo da dor. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o uso de intervenções farmacológicas (lidocaína tópica) e não farmacológicas para procedimentos dolorosos em crianças e adolescentes em uma enfermaria pediátrica.

MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo do tipo observação não-participante realizado em uma enfermaria pediátrica de um hospital universitário após um treinamento em dor. Foram obtidos dados referentes às características das crianças, estratégias farmacológicas e não farmacológicas, avaliação da dor e características dos procedimentos. Estatísticas descritivas e análises bivariadas investigaram o desfecho (procedimentos realizados com ambas as estratégias) e foram calculadas no Stata 19.0, considerando p<0,05. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da instituição.

RESULTADOS: Oitenta e dois procedimentos foram analisados. Os resultados revelaram que a lidocaína tópica foi utilizada em 43 (52,4%) e intervenções não farmacológicas em 29 (35,3%). Em 18 (21,9%), ambas as estratégias foram utilizadas, sendo que os profissionais de saúde que participaram do treinamento as aplicaram com maior frequência (p=0,01) e apresentaram menores escores de dor avaliados antes (p=0,03) e imediatamente após o procedimento (p=0,01). Não houve diferença na duração do procedimento (p=0,99) ou no sucesso do procedimento (p=0,47) entre os grupos.

CONCLUSÃO: As intervenções farmacológicas prevaleceram sobre as abordagens não farmacológicas. Embora a adoção geral de ambas as estratégias tenha permanecido baixa, seu uso esteve associado à redução dos níveis de dor, sem comprometer a duração ou o sucesso do procedimento.

Palavras-chave

Criança, Dor procedimental, Manejo da dor

References

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Submitted date:
05/10/2026

Accepted date:
08/26/2026

Procedural pain practices at a Brazilian pediatric ward: an observational study

Práticas no tratamento da dor procedural em uma enfermaria pediátrica brasileira: estudo observacional

Julia Maria Marques; Regina Helena Vitale Torkomian Joaquim; Daniel Ferreira Dahdah; Bruna Luiza Thesolim; Pâmela Bertollo Ferreira; Cristina Ortiz Sobrinho Valete

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