Children's pain perception before and after analgesia: a study of instrument construct validity and related issues.

Abstract

This study was one of a series done to examine the validity of the Oucher, an instrument designed to assess children’s perceptions of the intensity of their pain. Children reported their postsurgical pain before and after receiving analgesic medication. Lower mean pain scores at four hourly intervals after medication supported the construct validity of the instrument. Scores on the two other concurrently administered pain measures (Poker Chip Tool and a visual analogue scale) revealed similar lowered pain scores after analgesia, supporting further the validity of the Oucher. Reduced pain intensitv was exoerienced bv most of the DarticiDatine. child subjects. 0 1988’by Gru& & Stt, Inc.