Children's memory for pain: overview and implications for practice

Brief Report: Optimizing Children’s Memory and Management of an Invasive Medical Procedure: The Influence of Procedural Narration and Distraction

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of two interventions on children's memory of and distress during a voiding cysto-urethrogram (VCUG, X-ray of the kidneys).

METHODS

Sixty-two children (aged 2.5-7.5 years) were allocated to one of three conditions. In one (CI + D), they received complete procedural information during the VCUG, with a cartoon video. In a second (PI + D), children received limited procedural information, with a cartoon video. In a third (standard care, PI), they received limited procedural information. VCUGs were videotaped and distress was coded using the CAMPIS-R. To assess memory, children were interviewed 1 week later.

RESULTS

Relative to the PI condition, children in the CI + D condition recalled more information, appraised the VCUG as less painful, and were less distressed. There were no differences between the PI + D and PI conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

An inexpensive, theoretically driven intervention can enhance children's memory and reduce distress during an invasive procedure.