Imagine your child is recovering from major chest surgery. Managing their pain is a huge challenge, and it can interfere with everything from their mood to simply moving around. A new study tested a simple idea: what if we sent kids structured, educational text messages about pain management after their operation? The study involved 100 pediatric patients. One group got these supportive texts, while the other received the standard oral education. The results were clear. Kids who got the text messages reported less pain. Fewer of them had moderate-to-severe pain overall. Their 'least pain' scores and their average pain scores were lower on each of the first three days after surgery. The texts also seemed to build their confidence—their 'self-efficacy' scores were higher, meaning they felt more capable of handling their pain. This confidence may have helped in practical ways: on the first two days, pain interfered less with their general activity. The study concludes that this SMS-based approach significantly improved the pain experience for these young patients. More research is needed to understand exactly how it works and its full impact, but it points to a straightforward, accessible tool that could help families navigate a tough recovery.
SMS education reduces moderate-to-severe pain (18% vs 38%) in pediatric thoracic surgery patientsCould a simple text message help a child in pain after chest surgery? A new study says yes
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Key Takeaway
Consider SMS-based educational support to improve pain experience and self-efficacy in pediatric patients after thoracic surgery.
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of SMS-based educational support for postoperative pain management in pediatric patients undergoing thoracic surgery. A total of 100 pediatric patients were enrolled between December 2, 2023, and January 28, 2025. Patients were randomized to receive either structured postoperative pain management education via SMS text messages (intervention group) or standard oral education (control group). Outcomes assessed included pain intensity and pain-related interference using the Brief Pain Inventory and self-efficacy using the Pain Self-Efficacy Scale. The number of patients with moderate-to-severe average pain was significantly lower in the SMS intervention group (n=19, 18%) compared to the control group (n=19, 38%; P=.04). Patient self-efficacy scores were significantly higher in the intervention group (mean 29.3, SD 7.5) versus the control group (mean 25.2, SD 8.7; P=.01). Least pain scores were significantly lower in the intervention group across all three consecutive postoperative days (PODs): POD1 (mean 2.8, SD 0.8 vs mean 3.3, SD 0.7; P<.001), POD2 (mean 2.2, SD 0.8 vs mean 2.7, SD 0.5; P<.001), and POD3 (mean 1.7, SD 0.7 vs mean 2.2, SD 0.4; P<.001). Average pain intensity was also significantly lower in the intervention group across all three PODs: POD1 (mean 3.7, SD 0.9 vs mean 4.7, SD 0.6; P<.001); POD2 (mean 3.3, SD 0.8 vs mean 3.6, SD 0.5; P=.01); and POD3 (mean 2.5, SD 0.8 vs mean 3.1, SD 0.5; P<.001). General activity was significantly less affected in the intervention group on POD 1 (mean 4.3, SD 1.0 vs mean 5.0, SD 1.5; P=.004) and POD 2 (mean 3.1, SD 0.7 vs mean 3.7, SD 1.3; P=.009). The abstract concludes that the SMS-based intervention significantly improved the postoperative pain experience and states that further research is needed to clarify its impact on clinical outcomes and underlying mechanisms.
What this means for you:
Educational text messages after surgery helped kids feel less pain and more in control of their recovery. More on Postoperative Pain
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View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND: Inadequately controlled postoperative pain continues to pose a significant clinical challenge in pediatric patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of SMS-based educational support for postoperative pain management on patients' pain experience.
METHODS: A total of 100 pediatric patients undergoing thoracic surgery were enrolled between December 2, 2023, and January 28, 2025. Patients in the intervention group (group 1) received structured postoperative pain management education via SMS text messages, whereas those in the control group (group 2) received standard oral education. Pain intensity and pain-related interference were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory, and self-efficacy was measured using the Pain Self-Efficacy Scale.
RESULTS: The number of patients with moderate-to-severe average pain was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (n=19, 18% vs n=19, 38%; P=.04), and group 1 had significantly higher patient self-efficacy scores (mean 29.3, SD 7.5 vs mean 25.2, SD 8.7; P=.01). Least pain scores were lower in group 1 compared with group 2 across all 3 consecutive postoperative days (PODs): POD1 (mean 2.8, SD 0.8 vs mean 3.3, SD 0.7; P<.001), POD2 (mean 2.2, SD 0.8 vs mean 2.7, SD 0.5; P<.001), and POD3 (mean 1.7, SD 0.7 vs mean2.2, SD 0.4; P<.001). Similarly, average pain intensity was lower in group 1 compared with group 2 across all 3 consecutive PODs: POD1 (mean 3.7, SD 0.9 vs mean 4.7, SD 0.6; P<.001); POD2 (mean 3.3, SD 0.8 vs mean 3.6, SD 0.5; P=.01); and POD3 (mean 2.5, SD 0.8 vs mean 3.1, SD 0.5; P<.001). General activity was significantly less affected in group 1 on POD 1 (mean 4.3, SD 1.0 vs mean 5.0, SD 1.5; P=.004) and POD 2 (mean 3.1, SD 0.7 vs mean 3.7, SD 1.3; P=.009).
CONCLUSIONS: The use of an SMS-based educational intervention significantly improved the postoperative pain experience of pediatric patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Further research is needed to clarify its impact on clinical outcomes and to better understand the mechanisms underlying improved pain management.
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