Paediatrics Publications
Digital Technology Distraction for Acute Pain in Children: A Meta-analysis
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2020
Journal
Pediatrics
Volume
145
Issue
2
First Page
e20191139
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-1139
Abstract
CONTEXT: Digital distraction is being integrated into pediatric pain care, but its efficacy is currently unknown.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of digital technology distraction on pain and distress in children experiencing acutely painful conditions or procedures.
DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore, Ei Compendex, Web of Science, and gray literature sources.
STUDY SELECTION: Quantitative studies of digital technology distraction for acutely painful conditions or procedures in children.
DATA EXTRACTION: Performed by 1 reviewer with verification. Outcomes were child pain and distress.
RESULTS: There were 106 studies (
LIMITATIONS: Few studies directly compared different distractors or provided subgroup data to inform applicability.
CONCLUSIONS: Digital distraction provides modest pain and distress reduction for children undergoing painful procedures; its superiority over nondigital distractors is not established. Context, preferences, and availability should inform the choice of distractor.
