[Bone marrow biopsy in children with leukemia. Determination and reduction of pain and fear reactions].

The development and reduction of distress in children with leukemia was studied during a frequently recurring medical procedure, i.e., a bone marrow aspiration (BMA). The role of a number of factors in the development of distress display in children during this procedure was studied. The intensity of distress display was assessed with a behavioral rating scale. The intensity of distress display was found to be independent of the physician who performed the punction, the part of the body to which the punction was administered, the number of previously administered BMA'S, whether the child had to undergo a lumbar puncture after the BMA, and whether the child was sedated. The intensity of distress display varied with age and sex of the child. The intensity of distress display was weaker in older children, but this age effect was stronger for boys than for girls. An experimental program was developed and administered in order to reduce distress display during medical treatment. This program consisted of three parts (relaxation, imagination of a pleasant situation and arousal of the concomitant feelings, as well as watching a model). The experimental program was found to be effective in reducing distress display in children. The amount of reduction was dependent of the number of prior BMA'S (the fewer the prior BMA'S, the greater the decrease) and of the level of pretreatment display of distress (the higher the level, the smaller the decrease.