BARROS, Luísa. Procedural pediatric pain: contributions from pediatric psychology. Temas psicol. []. 2010, 18, 2, pp.295-306. ISSN 1413-389X.

Procedural pain is a distressful frequent experience during childhood, but has traditionally been sub evaluated and sub treated . The non-utilization of effective strategies to control pain during invasive procedures, even very simple procedures like immunizations, exposes children to unnecessary suffering and important consequences. In this article, we aim to present and systematize the most relevant advances in pediatric psychology, which may contribute to a better assessment and control of pediatric procedural pain. Parting from the Bio-Behavioral Model of Pain from Varni (1995) and the Interactive Model for Acute Distress from Blount (Blount e cols. 1989), we go on presenting the main assessment and intervention strategies to control procedural pain. We finish with a reflexion about the need of preparing professionals and accompanying family, and to choose the most adequate strategies to each situation.

: Procedural pain; Children assessment; Intervention.

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