Measuring pain during endoscopy and solutions to improve pain
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Measuring pain during endoscopy and solutions to improve pain
IRAS ID
325414
Contact name
Nisha Patel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance and Integrity Team (RGIT) Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
Colonoscopy is a commonly performed procedure in the United Kingdom and the gold standard for diagnosis and therapy in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In both sedated and unsedated patients’ pain and discomfort can be reported in 79.2% and 88.7% of cases respectively. Increased levels of pain during colonoscopy have been associated with reduced completion rates and an unwillingness to undergo repeat or surveillance procedures resulting in increased ‘did not attend’ (DNA) rates. Pain during colonoscopy could be linked with reduced diagnostic sensitivity due to reduced engagement with screening and surveillance services.
In order to improve patient experience and outcomes in addition to ensuring efficient use of resources, the further understanding of pain and formulation of techniques to combat pain are crucial. This study will aim to tackle these two aspects.
We will recruit patients who are scheduled for a diagnostic colonoscopy and gather baseline information, this will then be followed by informed consent.
During the colonoscopy physiological parameters of the patient such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature will be measured and recorded continuously to analyse how these factors change during colonoscopy. We will also obtain and record patient feedback in real time on their measure of discomfort during the procedure with a questionnaire asking them to rate the scale of discomfort from 1 to 10.
We will then pair this up with force measurements we obtain from performing a colonoscopy on a model colon with sensors to pick up force exhibited and look for a correlation in force and discomfort reported.
We will then move onto introduction of specific interventions and see how this affects both the physiological measurements but also the patient reported measurements of discomfort. This will include the introduction of music, video and task distraction. With the same parameters measured.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0167
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion