Distress experienced during pediatric VCUGs - a granular, prospective assessment using the brief behavioral distress scale.

BACKGROUND: In spite of decades of experience with the procedure, controversy persists as to the overall distress experienced by children and the routine need for sedation in children undergoing voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG). Many studies have attempted to address these issues, often divided into one camp that champions routine sedation while another group believes that pretest preparation is often all that is needed. At the root of these issues are some of the limitations of previous studies as most incorporate inherently subjective parental questionnaires to determine distress levels rather than using an objective, unbiased observer. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to use a validated and reliable tool (the brief behavioral distress scale) to objectively evaluate the distress experienced during VCUGs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 26 children (ages 3-7 years old) was performed by the pediatric radiology department at a large urban academic medical center. Patients were evaluated for distress during 12 separate VCUG steps beginning with the patient entering the room and ending with the clothing being replaced at study completion. RESULTS: Using a general linear model (repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA)), significant distress was identified during two phases of the examination, catheter insertion (P-values ranging <0.001-0.19) and the full bladder phase (P-values ranging 0.005-0.043). The mean distress score for catheter insertion (mean: 1.38, standard deviation [SD]: 1.098) was nearly three times higher than the next most distressful step, i.e. full bladder (mean: 0.65, SD: 0.745). Additionally, entering the room was perceived as significantly more distressing than the catheter out (P = 0.016) and clothing replacement phase (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: We find that despite there being significantly increased distress during the catheter insertion and full bladder phases, the distress levels during VCUGs are markedly less than in previous reports. Even the most distressful stage, catheterization, was less stressful than previously reported with levels closer to that of minor distress evinced by comfort-seeking behavior from a parent rather than more significant distress resulting in screaming. Our findings corroborate and expand on the conclusion of the effectiveness of pretest preparation and child life specialist involvement.

Analysis of an intervention to reduce parental anxiety prior to voiding cystourethrogram.

PURPOSE: The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is a common imaging test in pediatric urology that can be associated with anxiety in the child and parent. We hypothesized that education by mailed brochure would decrease pre-procedure parental anxiety. METHODS: Families of children scheduled for VCUG were randomized into an experimental group that was mailed an educational brochure about the VCUG and a control group. Immediately prior to the procedure, parental anxiety was assessed with the self-administered State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The parent repeated the STAI at home after the VCUG and answered brief questions about educational resources used to prepare for the VUCG. RESULTS: We enrolled 105 families (47 experimental, 58 control). Parental state anxiety was higher before the procedure than after the procedure (p < 0.001). Younger parents had greater pre-procedure state anxiety (p = 0.007). Contrary to our expectations, pre-procedure state anxiety did not differ between control and experimental groups. However, parents in the experimental group demonstrated less anxiety with some individual items in the questionnaire. CONCLUSION: An educational brochure mailed to families prior to VCUG did not decrease pre-procedure parental state anxiety. However, the educational brochure can ensure accurate dissemination of information to help families prepare for this potentially distressing procedure.

Efficacy of a cartoon and photograph montage storybook in preparing children for voiding cystourethrogram.

BACKGROUND: Undergoing voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) can be distressing for children. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a cartoon and photograph montage storybook in preparing children for VCUG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Outpatient children (ages 2-14 years) who had VCUGs between December 2011 and June 2012 were randomly assigned to two groups; one group received the storybook a week before the procedure. Parents and guardians were asked to complete an anonymous survey rating their child's tolerance of the exam from 1 to 5, worst to best, immediately after VCUG. The VCUG technologist also rated the child's tolerance. RESULTS: Children prepared for VCUG with the storybook had less distress than those without. Results were analyzed by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel and Cochran-Armitage Trend exact tests, a P value of both tests of 0.0092 indicating a statistically significant difference between the tolerance scores of children prepared with the storybook and those without. Effects of gender and history of VCUG were not statistically significant. Two-thirds of all children had no other source of information. CONCLUSION: The cartoon and photograph montage storybook format of preparing children for VCUG was effective in increasing their tolerance for the procedure. The storybook should be mailed out in advance because the majority of families did not pursue information on preparing their children for VCUG.

Is parental anxiety and coping associated with girls' distress during a VCUG? Preliminary findings.

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between parental anxiety/coping strategies and girls' distress during VCUGs. METHODS: Parents of 32 girls (age 4-10, mean 5.8 years) completed a trait anxiety measure and a measure of parental reactions to children's distress. Post procedure, children, parents and radiology staff rated the level of anxiety, fear, pain and discomfort. RESULTS: Trends indicated that parents who reported increased anxiety rated their children as experiencing increased distress (r = 0.27, p = 0.071), similarly for medical staff ratings (r = 0.28, p = 0.061). Parents with lower trait anxiety scores reported using more emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies (r = -0.37 and r = -0.40, p < 0.05, respectively). These were related to children experiencing less procedural distress (r = -0.30, p = 0.054; r = -0.33, p = 0.037, respectively) and parents rated as less anxious by staff (r = -0.40, p = 0.014; r = -0.31, p = 0.047, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There was a trend toward parental anxiety being related to their child's distress during VCUG. Parental coping strategies resulted in less distress among children and parents. Teaching coping techniques might obviate the need for sedation and help children deal with future stressors.

Effects of parental soothing behavior on stress levels of 2-8 year old children during voiding cystourethrograms by phase of procedure.

Using the example of a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), a painful radiological procedure, this study investigated whether parental soothing behavior (reassuring comments like "it's almost over" or "You're O.K." and soothing by "sh, sh") in one phase of the procedure influenced the child's distress in the following phase. The sample was comprised of 68 2-8 year-old children and the accompanying parent(s). Child and parental behavior during the VCUG was coded using a standardized rating scale (CAMPIS-R). Parental reassurance during the anticipatory phase significantly increased the child's distress of the following phase, while parental "sh, sh" significantly reduced it. Both parental behaviors showed no significant effect on the child's distress of the following phase when applied during the procedure itself. Results underline the importance of differentiating between anticipatory and procedural phases of the VCUG. Counselling methods for parents on more appropriate strategies to assist their children during procedural phases of the VCUG are necessary.

Uretrocistografía en niños: percepción de los padres / Uretrocystography in children: parents' perception

Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) has been usually considered as a painful and badly tolerated procedure in children. This opinion is not agreed with local experience of the authors. Objective: To evaluate the parent's perception about VCUG in children before and after the procedure. Methods: In 2009, parents of children who carne to Radiology Department for a VCUG completed an anonymous survey, including age and sex of their children, physician referent specialty, information received about the exam, expectation before and opinion after the procedure. Results: During 12 months 86 surveys were evaluated; patient's age was ranged between 1 month to 8 years with 52.3 percent> (45) girls and 47.7 percent> (41) males. Patients were referred from general pediatric in 59 percento or nephrology practice in 33 percent>; 20 percent> of the patients did not receive any information about the procedure before. About the expectation of VCUG, previous the exam, parents considered the examination as a pediatrician visit in 2.3 percent, uncomfortable in 26.7 percent>, a little painful in 16.3 percent, painful in 21 percent and aggressive or terrible in 33.7 percento. After the examination, parents' opinion was: 24.4 percent> as a pediatrician visit, 45.3 percent> uncomfortable, 22.1 percento a little painful, 4.7 percent> painful and 3.5 percent> aggressive or terrible. The global parents' perception about VCUG after the exam improved in 66 percent> cases, did not change in 29 percent> and went worse in 5 percent. Conclusion: Parent's perception about VCUG in children significantly improves after the procedure; in 91.8 percent> the examination was considered uncomfortable or only a little painful.

Con frecuencia se califica a la uretrocistografía miccional (UCG) como un examen doloroso y mal tolerado por los niños, lo que resulta discordante con la experiencia de los autores. Objetivo: Evaluar la percepción de los padres de las UCG efectuadas a sus hijos, antes y después del examen. Durante el año 2009, en el Servicio de Radiología de Clínica Las Condes, se solicitó a los padres contestar anónimamente una encuesta que incluía: edad y sexo del niño, especialidad médico solicitante, información recibida respecto del examen, explicitar expectativas antes del examen y opinión posterior. Se evaluaron 86 encuestas; edades: 1 mes a 8 años; 52,3 por ciento (45) niñas y 47,7 por ciento (41) varones; pediatra deriva 59 por ciento y nefrólogo 33 por ciento; 20 por ciento no recibió información del solicitante. Antes del examen: 2,3 por ciento como una visita al pediatra, 26,7 por ciento molesto, 16,3 por ciento un poco doloroso, 21 por ciento doloroso y 33,7 por ciento agresivo/terrible. Después de la UCG: 24,4 por ciento como una visita al pediatra, 45,3 por ciento molesto, 22,1 por ciento un poco doloroso, 4,7 por ciento doloroso y 3,5 por ciento agresivo/terrible. Post-examen: 66 por ciento mejora la percepción, 29 por ciento mantiene y 5 por ciento empeora. Conclusiones: La percepción de los padres mejora significativamente después de efectuado el examen; el 91,8 por ciento considera el examen como molesto o un poco doloroso.

Comparing stress levels in children aged 2-8 years and in their accompanying parents during first-time versus repeated voiding cystourethrograms.

OBJECTIVES: Invasive procedures such as voiding cystourethrograms (VCUGs) cause distress in both children and their accompanying parents. The main purpose of this study was to examine whether stress levels in children and their parents differ during first-time and repeated VCUGs. The second objective was to examine the relationship between parental behavior (behavior promoting child coping and behavior promoting child distress), parental stress levels and child distress in first-time versus repeated VCUGs. METHODS: In a prospective study, the distress behavior of 31 children aged 2-8 years who were undergoing a repeated VCUG was examined. A second group of 31 children who were undergoing a VCUG for the first time served as a control sample. Child and parental behavior during the VCUG was coded by three independent observers using a standardized rating scale (CAMPIS-R, Blount et al.). Children reported on their stress levels using a faces scale; parents and radiologists rated the child's distress on a visual analog scale. Similarly, parents assessed their own stress levels on a visual analog scale. RESULTS: The stress levels of children undergoing a repeated VCUG do not differ from those of children undergoing a VCUG for the first time, but parental stress levels were significantly lower during repeated VCUGs. In both VCUG groups there was significant positive correlation between parental distress-promoting behavior and child distress, and between parental stress levels and child distress. Parental coping-promoting behavior showed no significant correlation with child distress or parental stress levels in either VCUG group. Parental stress levels and parental distress-promoting behavior correlated positively only for repeated VCUGs. Neither parental coping- nor distress-promoting behavior differed between first-time versus repeated VCUG groups. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated VCUGs and first-time VCUGs are both highly distressing procedures for children. Even though parental stress levels are lower during repeated VCUGs, spontaneous parental behavior proves to be ineffective or even counterproductive in reducing the child's distress. Further research into efficient counseling and training methods for parents and children undergoing VCUGs is required.

Hypnosis reduces distress and duration of an invasive medical procedure for children.

OBJECTIVE: Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) is a commonly performed radiologic procedure in children that can be both painful and frightening. Given the distress that some children experience during the VCUG and the need for children to be alert and cooperative during the procedure, finding a psychological intervention that helps children to manage anxiety, distress, and pain is clearly desirable. This study was designed to examine whether relaxation and analgesia facilitated with hypnosis could reduce distress and procedure time for children who undergo this procedure. METHODS: Forty-four children who were scheduled for an upcoming VCUG were randomized to receive hypnosis (n = 21) or routine care (n = 23) while undergoing the procedure. The sample consisted of 29 (66%) girls and 15 (34%) boys with a mean age of 7.6 years (SD: 2.5; range: 4-15 years). Ethnic/racial backgrounds were 72.7% white, 18.2% Asian, 4.5% Latino, 2.3% black, and 2.3% Filipino. The mean number of previous VCUGs was 2.95 (SD: 2.51; mode: 2; range: 1-15). Potential participants were identified through computerized hospital records of upcoming VCUGs. Parents were contacted by telephone and invited to participate if their child was eligible. To be eligible for the study, the child must have undergone at least 1 previous VCUG, been at least 4 years of age at that time, and experienced distress during that procedure, and both the child and the participating parent had to be English speaking. Each eligible child and parent met with the research assistant (RA) before the day of the scheduled procedure for an initial assessment. Children were queried regarding the degree of crying, fear, and pain that they had experienced during their most recent VCUG. Parents completed a series of parallel questions. Immediately after this assessment, those who were randomized to the hypnosis condition were given a 1-hour training session in self-hypnotic visual imagery by a trained therapist. Parents and children were instructed to practice using the imaginative self-hypnosis procedure several times a day in preparation for the upcoming procedure. The therapist was also present during the procedure to conduct similar exercises with the child. The majority (83%) of those who were randomized to the routine care control group chose to participate in a hospital-provided recreation therapy program (offered as part of routine care). The program includes demonstration of the procedure with dolls, relaxation and breath work training, and assistance during the procedure. On the day of the VCUG, the RA met the family at the clinic before the procedure, and both the child and the parent rated the child's present level of fearfulness. During the procedure, the RA recorded observational ratings of the child's emotional tone and behavior and timed the overall procedure and its phases. Immediately after the VCUG, the child was asked how much crying, fear, and pain he or she had experienced during the procedure; the parent rated the child's experience on the same dimensions and also how traumatic the procedure had been (both generally and compared with their previous one), and the medical staff rated the degree of procedural difficulty. Outcomes included child reports of distress during the procedure, parent reports of how traumatic the present VCUG was compared with the previous one, observer ratings of distress during the procedure, medical staff reports of the difficulty of the procedure overall, and total procedural time. RESULTS: Results indicate significant benefits for the hypnosis group compared with the routine care group in the following 4 areas: (1) parents of children in the hypnosis group compared with those in the routine care group reported that the procedure was significantly less traumatic for their children compared with their previous VCUG procedure; (2) observational ratings of typical distress levels during the procedure were significantly lower for children in the hypnosis condition compared with those in the routine care condition; (3) medical staff reported a significant difference between groups in the overall difficulty of conducting the procedure, with less difficulty reported for the hypnosis group; and (4) total procedural time was significantly shorter-by almost 14 minutes-for the hypnosis group compared with the routine care group. Moderate to large effect sizes were obtained on each of these 4 outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Hypnotic relaxation may provide a systematic method for improving the overall medical care of children with urinary tract abnormalities and may be beneficial for children who undergo other invasive medical procedures. Because the VCUG is an essential part of the evaluation of urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux in children, lower distress during the procedure may improve patient and family compliance with initial as well as follow-up evaluations. These findings augment the accumulating literature demonstrating the benefits of using hypnosis to reduce distress in the pediatric setting. The present findings are noteworthy in that this study was a controlled, randomized trial conducted in a naturalistic medical setting. In this context, we achieved a convergence of subjective and objective outcomes with moderate to large effect sizes, including those that may have an impact on patient care and procedure cost, that were consistently supportive of the beneficial effects of hypnosis-a noninvasive intervention with minimal risk. The findings, therefore, have immediate implications for pediatric care. Limitations of this study include the lack of participant and staff blindness to the child's condition assignment, which could have introduced bias into reports. However, the objective procedural time differences between groups were consistent with the other, more subjective outcome findings. The sample was also small and primarily white in ethnic/racial makeup, which may have restricted our ability to detect some differences and may limit the generalizability of findings to more representative samples. In addition, the sample comprised children who had already undergone at least 1 VCUG during which they had had difficulty. Consequently, additional research is needed to determine whether hypnosis would be helpful to those who are undergoing their first VCUG. Additional limitations, clinical observations, and directions for future research are also discussed.

Eficacia de la información sensorial preparatoria en la satisfacción y la percepción de temor de los pacientes sometidos a urografía intravenosa / Efficacy of sensorial preparatory information on satisfaction and fear in patients undergoing intravenous urography

En la actualidad el proceso de información se considera un elemento integrante de los cuidados enfermeros. Objetivo. Conocer el efecto de la intervención enfermera (información sensorial preparatoria) sobre la satisfacción y el grado de temor que presentan los pacientes sometidos a urografía intravenosa en el Centro de Radiodiagnóstico de la Escuela Graduada del Hospital Universitario Son Dureta de Palma de Mallorca. Método. Estudio experimental en el que se encuesta a 116 pacientes. Por asignación aleatoria se constituye un grupo intervención al que se ofrece información sensorial preparatoria, y un grupo control al que se proporciona información escrita. Resultados. Los resultados evidencian mayores niveles de satisfacción y disminución del grado de temor en los pacientes a los que se les realiza la intervención, confirmando la importancia de ofrecer información basada en una intervención enfermera planificada y personalizada (AU)

Predicting children's response to an invasive medical investigation: the Influence of effortful control and parent behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relative contributions of effortful control (reflecting the child's ability to shift and refocus attention) and parental coping- and distress-promoting behaviors to children's coping and distress during the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG, X-ray of the kidneys). METHOD: Thirty-two children between ages 2 and 7 years were videotaped undergoing the VCUG. Parent and child behaviors were coded according to the CAMPIS-R (Blount et al., 1997), and parents completed a temperament inventory assessing effortful control across a range of everyday situations. RESULTS: Children manifested relatively high rates of distress and low rates of coping. Their coping attempts were not associated with reduced rates of distress. The most frequent child coping behavior was distraction. Both effortful control and parent coping-promoting behavior (particularly talk about topics other than the VCUG) made independent contributions to child coping behavior. Parent distress-promoting behavior (particularly reassurance) made a strong contribution to child distress behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Factors relating to the child (effortful control) and parent (coping and distress-promoting behaviors) both contribute to children's response to an aversive medical procedure. Interventions that facilitate parent coping and promoting behavior, reduce their distress-promoting behavior, and compensate for children's infrequent and ineffective use of coping strategies (such as distraction) may be optimal for young children, particularly those low in effortful control.

Perception of fear, distress and pain by parents of children undergoing a micturating cystourethrogram: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether parents' expectations of their child's fear, distress or pain during a micturating cystourethrogram (MCU) are realized. METHODOLOGY: Prospective study in which parents were asked to fill out two questionnaires using a visual analogue scale, one before (pre) and the other after the MCU procedure (post), was conducted at a tertiary level paediatric hospital in Sydney, Australia. The questionnaires were designed to compare the parents' anticipated and experienced anxiety about their child's procedure and their perception of fear, distress and pain in their child during and after the procedure. The parents' satisfaction with information provided to them on the procedure was also recorded. Twenty-five parents participated in the study. RESULTS: There were significant differences between anticipated and experienced parental anxiety. Parents' reporting of fear, distress and pain in their child during the MCU and after the procedure was lower than they had anticipated. There was a significant correlation between the parents' anxiety and their perception of severity of their child's fear (r = 0.52, P = 0.009), distress (r = 0.48, P = 0.017) and pain (r = 0.50, P = 0.01) during the procedure, but less so with the child's distress after the procedure (r = 0.39, P = 0.059). The parents were satisfied with the information given to them regarding the MCU procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Parents' perception of their child's fear, distress and pain during the MCU, as well as distress following the MCU, was not as severe as they had anticipated. Parental anxiety is an important factor in the perception of fear, distress and pain in children during and after the procedure.

The diagnostic value, parental and patient acceptability of micturating cysto-urethrography in children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the medical indications and outcome including psychological and physical consequences of micturating cysto urethrography. METHODS: A prospective study of 165 consecutive children undergoing MCUG during a 3 month period. Medical data, including outcome was recorded. The distress of the child was recorded by the radiographer at the time of the examinations. Postal questionnaires were sent to parents one week after the test to obtain information on their own and their child's perception of the test, and any physical and/or behavioural changes. RESULTS: Age distribution for first and subsequent MCUG. [table: see text] 73% of first MCUG's were requested because of urinary tract infection. 52% of first MCUG's in infants were abnormal compared with 13% in older children aged 1 to 4 years. 29 children aged 4 and over underwent a second or subsequent MCUG (53% abnormal). These children would be suitable for indirect cystography. One quarter of children experienced difficulty in passing urine following the test, haematuria was experienced by four. Radiographers recorded severe distress in 27% of children and 27% of parents also recorded distress. CONCLUSIONS: A high incidence of distress was detected for both parent and child. Units should establish special guidelines for the use of this invasive procedure. A clear explanation of the investigation to parents and children should be standard practice. Routine employment of sedation for patients may be advisable. Alternative methods of imaging should be considered and evaluated, and indirect isotope cystography employed where appropriate.

Children's recall of medical experiences: the impact of stress.

OBJECTIVE: The study compared children's reports of two medical events, to assess the effects of the type of event on children's recall. Additionally, the study examined the effect of props on children's event reports. METHOD: Twenty children between the ages of 37 and 67 months were interviewed following either a voiding cysto-urethrogram (VCUG) or a pediatric assessment (PA) at a hospital. Interviews were conducted between 6 and 8 days after the event and included a doll and prop items. RESULTS: Ratings of stress were significantly higher for children who underwent the VCUG than those who underwent the PA. Children who experienced the VCUG procedure reported more correct information than the children who experienced the PA. Age was correlated with the total amount of correct information reported. Stress levels were correlated with both errors and accuracy of information. CONCLUSIONS: Children who experienced a stressful medical procedure remembered more than children who experienced a neutral medical event, although this increase in amount recalled was at the expense of accuracy. These findings suggest that stress impacts negatively on recall: however, the unique and structured nature of the VCUG procedure compared to the PA, and the familiarity of the PA prop items to the children who experienced the VCUG procedure, may also have contributed to differences in recall of the two events.

Premedication with oral midazolam for voiding cystourethrography in children: safety and efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: Midazolam is a relatively short-acting water-soluble benzodiazepine that provides anxiolysis and anterograde amnesia and can be given orally with few adverse effects. We evaluated the benefit and safety of oral midazolam for sedation of young children during voiding cystourethrography or nuclear cystography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: For 3.5 years, a highly selected group of 98 children, ages 23 months to 9 years (mean, 4 years), were given oral midazolam 0.6 mg/kg 20-30 min before cystourethrography or nuclear cystography. These children either had been frightened by a previous catheterization (39%) or seemed particularly frightened during an examination of their genitals in the office (61%). A control group of 25 children, similar in age to the study group, did not receive midazolam before cystourethrography. Parents were interviewed to assess their child's recollection of the procedure. Voiding dynamics were assessed by evaluating the postvoiding radiograph. RESULTS: Of the midazolam-treated patients, 60% had no recollection of the study, and 31% remembered part or all of the study but did not have a negative experience. No significant change in vital signs or oxygen saturation was observed in any child. In the control group, 24 (96%) of 25 children remembered the cystographic examination (p < .01). Behavioral side effects occurred in 12% of the children receiving midazolam and consisted primarily of combative behavior as the medication was wearing off. Ninety-five percent of the parents indicated that they would want their child to have midazolam again if the cystography needed to be repeated. Of the children receiving midazolam, 76% had little or no residual urine after voiding, compared with 72% of the control group (no significant difference). CONCLUSION: In children who have been or are likely to be excessively frightened during cystourethrography or nuclear cystography, midazolam usually provides satisfactory amnesia and anxiolysis with few side effects or adverse impact on voiding dynamics.

Children's memory for a salient medical procedure: implications for testimony.

OBJECTIVE: Protecting sexually abused children hinges on their ability to remember and report events surrounding alleged incidents of abuse. This study was designed to provide information on young children's memory and recall of stressful experiences. METHODOLOGY: Children's memory for features of a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) experience were examined because this invasive procedure is similar in many respects to incidents of sexual abuse. The recall performance of 24 3- to 7-year-olds was assessed immediately after the VCUG and after a delay of 6 weeks using a hierarchically structured interview protocol including both open-ended and more specific questions. To assess correlations between recall performance and distress, behavioral and physiological indicators of distress were measured during the procedure. RESULTS: The children remembered 88% of the component features of the VCUG experience at the initial assessment and 83% after 6 weeks. Behavioral and salivary cortisol measures indicated that the children were distressed during the procedure. Although several of the behavioral measures were correlated negatively with the amount of recall, levels of salivary cortisol did not predict the children's recall performance. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that, under some conditions, young children can provide accurate and detailed reports of personally experienced distressful events.

Effects of information to patients undergoing intravenous pyelography: an intervention study.

This paper reports on the outcome of nursing intervention consisting of information-giving to patients about to undergo a threatening medical event (intravenous pyelography). Thirty patients in an intervention group were given structured information on all aspects of the examination (sensory, procedural and temporal components, and a coping mechanism). Their reactions to the event as recorded in self-reports were compared with those of 30 patients who did not receive such information (control group). No differences were found between the groups regarding physiological reactions to the stressful event, but there were clear and partly significant differences in the psychological outcome variables. Less pain and discomfort were experienced during intravenous pyelography in the intervention group and the subjects of this group were better able to form mental images of the impending event.

ECG abnormalities during excretory urography: the effect of stress.

ECG alterations occurring during IV infusion of contrast agents have been well documented, although the specific causes of these alterations are unknown. Stress and anxiety have been considered important factors, but no prospective evaluation of their impact on ECG alterations has been reported. In order to separate ECG changes resulting from anxiety associated with the procedure itself from those caused by the contrast agent, ECG monitoring was done during IV urography, first when patients were given saline and then again during and after contrast infusion. In both circumstances, the patients were told that they were being given contrast material. One hundred fifty patients undergoing infusion excretory urography with meglumine diatrizoate were studied. Preliminary 12-lead ECGs identified those with initially normal (71) and abnormal (79) tracings. Lead II rhythm strip ECGs were then obtained at 1 and 3 min during a saline infusion and again during contrast infusion; final 12-lead ECGs were done after the contrast infusion. During contrast infusion, PR prolongation (greater than 0.02 sec) occurred in 44% of patients, a change in heart rate (greater than +/- 10 beats/min) occurred in 26%, and benign arrhythmias (premature atrial and ventricular contractions, less than 5/min) occurred in 9%. Saline alone caused no statistically significant ECG alterations (only a single instance of premature atrial contractions). The hypothesis that stress or anxiety may adversely affect ECG reactivity in IV urography is unproved. Although we do not offer proof that it cannot occur, we found no evidence in a study of 150 patients to confirm that stress is an important factor. Only the contrast agent, not saline, produced measurable ECG changes during urography.

Preparing children for radiologic procedures: contingent versus noncontingent instruction.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of choice of information in preprocedural instruction on children's responses to select radiologic procedures. Sixty-one children were randomly assigned to either the contingent (n = 31) or noncontingent (n = 30) instruction group. Contingent instruction provided information in response to children's questions and requests. Noncontingent instruction provided children information based on recommendations from the literature and clinical practice. Dependent variables were measured using the Manifest Upset Scale, Cooperation Scale, search for information protocol, and self-report of distress. Contingent instruction was associated with less search for information. Prior to painful instrusive radiologic procedures, a choice of information may not support information-seeking, a strategy for adaptation.