Neonatal pain assessment scales: An integrative review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.2760

Keywords:

Scales, Pain Measurement, Newborn

Abstract

Introduction: Since infants are not able to express their feelings during the preverbal stage of development, neonatal pain rating scales are good tools for nurses to use in clinical practice. Objective: To describe valid and reliable scales used in nursing practice to assess neonatal pain. Materials and Methods: An integrative review of articles published since 1990 was conducted from 2019 to 2020. The databases consulted were PubMed, Lilacs, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Embase, VHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar metasearch engine. Twenty-two articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Results: Unidimensional and multidimensional instruments were found for assessing acute and prolonged pain in preterm and term neonates. Discussion: This integrative review provides healthcare professionals, especially nurses, with a conceptual basis for implementing clinical pain assessment tools according to gestational age, duration of pain, and type of indicator. Conclusions: According to the knowledge and characteristics of the scales, it is not possible to clearly establish the most appropriate one for general use or a gold standard; the selection will depend on different criteria, such as the type of stimulus, gestational age, and the newborn’s context.

How to cite this article: Jiménez-Hernández Gustavo Edgardo, Bula-Romero Javier Alonso, Sánchez-Caraballo Álvaro Antonio, Peña-Zuluaga Martín Elías. Escalas para valoración del dolor neonatal: Una revisión integrativa. Revista Cuidarte. 2023;14(2):e2760. . http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.2760

Author Biographies

Gustavo Edgardo Jiménez Hernández, Universidad de Córdoba

Universidad de Córdoba, Monteria, Colombia

Javier Alonso Bula Romero, Universidad de Córdoba

Universidad de Córdoba, Monteria, Colombia

Álvaro Antonio Sánchez Caraballo, Universidad de Córdoba

Universidad de Córdoba, Monteria, Colombia

Martín Elías Peña Zuluaga, Universidad de Córdoba

Universidad de Córdoba, Monteria, Colombia

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Published

2023-04-28

How to Cite

1.
Jiménez Hernández GE, Bula Romero JA, Sánchez Caraballo Álvaro A, Peña Zuluaga ME. Neonatal pain assessment scales: An integrative review. Revista Cuidarte [Internet]. 2023 Apr. 28 [cited 2024 Nov. 21];14(2). Available from: https://revistas.udes.edu.co/cuidarte/article/view/2760

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2023): Mayo-Agosto

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Review Article

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