Effect of cutaneous stimulation on pain reduction in emergency department patients

The problem of unrelieved pain in Emergency Department (ED) patients as well as contraindications to analgesics and narcotics due to masking of symptoms during the diagnostic period, presents itself as a unique opportunity for ED nurses to utilize non-pharmacological and non-invasive interventions such as cutaneous stimulation (CS) to relieve pain.

To evaluate the effectiveness of a specific protocol of CS, developed by the researchers, in reducing pain levels in ED patients. Another objective was to determine the effect of CS on blood pressure and heart rate. Potential factors that could influence the dependent variables such as age, gender, educational level, location of pain, and site of CS were tested.

A one group pre-test post-test experimental design measured variables before and after intervention in all subjects.

After being screened for inclusion, 50 patients (38 adults, 12 children) were admitted to the study and were treated with CS to relieve pain.

Following CS, subjects reported significantly reduced pain, and demonstrated reduced heart rate, and blood pressure readings. The location of pain significantly influenced heart rate and diastolic blood pressure but not pain level. The most effective site of CS was contralateral to the pain. Age, gender and educational level had no significant affect.

The results of this study provide empirical evidence that CS effectively reduces pain, heart rate, and blood pressure in ED patients. The intervention of CS has solid utilization potential and could be easily incorporated into standard ED procedure. Further research is needed to identify threats to internal validity especially that of the caring presence of the nurse.