A smartphone version of the Faces Pain Scale-Revised and the Color Analog Scale for postoperative pain assessment in children

Summary Background Effective pain assessment is essential during postoperative recovery. Extensive validation data are published supporting the Faces Pain Scale‐Revised (FPS‐R) and the Color Analog Scale (CAS) in children. Panda is a smartphone‐based application containing electronic versions of these scales. Objectives To evaluate agreement between Panda and original paper/plastic versions of the FPS‐R and CAS and to determine children's preference for either Panda or original versions of these scales. Methods ASA I–III children, 4–18 years, undergoing surgery were assessed using both Panda and original versions of either the FPS‐R or CAS. Pain assessments were conducted within 10 min of waking from anesthesia and 30 min later. Results Sixty‐two participants, median (range) age 7.5 (4–12) years, participated in the FPS‐R trial; Panda scores correlated strongly with the original scores at both time points (Pearson's r > 0.93) with limits of agreement within clinical significance (80% CI). Sixty‐six participants, age 13 (5–18) years, participated in the CAS trial. Panda scores correlated strongly with the original scores at both time points (Pearson's r > 0.87); mean pain scores were higher (up to +0.47 out of 10) with Panda than with the original tool, representing a small systematic bias, but limits of agreement were within clinical significance. Most participants who expressed a preference preferred Panda over the original tool (81% of FPS‐R, 76% of CAS participants). Conclusion The Panda smartphone application can be used in lieu of the original FPS‐R and CAS for assessment of pain in children. Children's preference for Panda may translate to improved cooperation with self‐report of pain.