Non-pharmacological interventions lower the pain intensity of Children with Burns.

Pain is a common complication associated with burns and can have significant negative impacts on children, leading to anxiety and sleep disturbances. Several studies have examined the effects of non-pharmacological interventions on burn wound care. This present study determined the effects of these interventions on pain intensity in children with burns.

It conducted a comprehensive systematic search across various international electronic databases to identify relevant studies and included 19 studies, comprising 1005 burn patients, in the analysis. The age range of the patients varied from 0.5 to 19 years, with 50.05% of participants assigned to the intervention group. All studies followed a randomized clinical trial design.

The results of the analysis indicated that-

• Non-pharmacological interventions had a significant impact on reducing pain intensity in children with burns. 
• Sub-group analysis revealed that both virtual reality (VR) and non-VR interventions demonstrated significant reductions in pain intensity. 
• Non-pharmacological interventions were particularly effective in reducing pain during dressing removal, dressing application, and physical therapy. 
• Interventions also reduced the pain of burn wound care insignificantly.

This practice update highlights the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in reducing pain intensity among children with burns. The findings suggest that incorporating these interventions into burn wound care can provide significant relief for young patients. Additionally, the analysis indicated that non-VR interventions were associated with greater reductions in pain intensity compared to VR interventions.

By implementing non-pharmacological interventions, healthcare professionals can effectively alleviate pain in children with burns, improving their overall well-being and minimizing the associated anxieties and sleep disturbances. This practice update serves as a reminder of the importance of considering non-pharmacological approaches as an integral part of burn wound care protocols, providing optimal care for pediatric burn patients.

Farzan R, Parvizi A, Haddadi S. et al. Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on pain intensity of children with burns: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Wound Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14134