Measuring pain management in children and adolescents

Developing a Method to Objectively Measure Analgesic Interventions: A Pilot Study

This study is testing new ways to measure and manage pain in children and teens aged 7 to 21 who are getting pain relief treatments at a hospital.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 7 Years to 21 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Children's National Research Institute (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Washington D.C., District of Columbia)
• Trial ID: NCT03794362 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study focuses on assessing pain management in children and adolescents aged 7 to 21 years who are receiving analgesic interventions at the Children's National Medical Center Pain Clinic. It aims to address the unmet need for effective pain assessment and management in nonverbal populations by utilizing objective tools to quantify pain and monitor analgesia effectiveness. The study highlights the importance of personalized treatment approaches, as many patients require a combination of therapies to find the most effective pain relief. By evaluating pain responses, the study seeks to improve clinical practices in pediatric pain management.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children and adolescents aged 7 to 21 years who are undergoing analgesic interventions.

Not a fit: Patients with eye pathology that affects pupillometry or those actively using opioids may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies for children and adolescents, ensuring they receive appropriate analgesia during medical procedures.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research in pediatric pain management, this specific approach using pupillometry for pain assessment is relatively novel and has not been widely tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The subject is 7 to 21 years of age
2. The subject is receiving an analgesic intervention in the Children's National Medical Center Pain Clinic
3. The subject is willing and able to provide written informed assent/parental consent to the study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Eye pathology precluding pupillometry
2. Patients who are actively using opioids (history of use acceptable). Rationale: opioids constrict the pupil, and therefore concomitant opioid use would bias our results.
3. Subjects who are or may be pregnant

Where this trial is running

Washington D.C., District of Columbia

• Children's National Health System — Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Julia C Finkel, MD — Children's National Research Institute
• Study coordinator: Julia C Finkel, MD

Conditions: Pain, analgesia, pain, nociception, pupillometry, analgesic