TRATAMIENTO PSICOLÓGICO DEL DOLOR Y LA ANSIEDAD EVOCADOS POR PROCEDIMIENTOS MÉDICOS INVASIVOS EN ONCOLOGÍA PEDIÁTRICA

Abstract

Treatment of pain in paediatric oncology. Over the last decade a great interest in the study of the nature of children's pain has been observed, taking place relevant advances in this area of knowledge. Assessment instruments which make accesible the subjective experience at a very early age have been elaborated, and good psychological strategies to reduce the distress evoked by invasive medical procedures in childhood cancer have been developed. In this article, a general overview on the nature of pain in relation to developmental issues is shown, and several studies on psychological treatment for children who undergo regularly those procedures are reviewed. Distraction techniques, the use of imagery and breathing exercises/relaxation training seem to be the essential therapeutic components to relieve pain and to reduce anxiety.