A Comparison of Two Different Tactile Stimulus Methods on Reducing Pain of Children During Intramuscular Injection: A...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Pain Management
• Non-pharmacological Interventions

Background:

• Pediatric patients in emergency departments frequently undergo intramuscular injections.
• These procedures can cause significant pain, fear, and anxiety in children.
• Effective pain reduction strategies are crucial for pediatric emergency care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel non-pharmacological intervention, the Palm Stimulator, for reducing needle-related pain.
• To compare the efficacy of the Palm Stimulator against another device (ShotBlocker) and a control group.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on perceived pain in pediatric patients during intramuscular injections.

Main Methods:

• A parallel-group, randomized controlled trial involving 159 children aged 7-10 years.
• Participants received intramuscular ampicillin/sulbactam and were randomized to the Palm Stimulator, ShotBlocker, or control group.
• Pain and fear were assessed using validated scales (Children's Fear Scale, Faces Pain Scale-Revised, Visual Analog Scale) by children, parents, and observers.

Main Results:

• The Palm Stimulator group reported the lowest mean pain scores across all assessment scales (child, parent, observer).
• Children in the Palm Stimulator group showed statistically significant lower Visual Analog Scale scores compared to ShotBlocker and control groups.
• The intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in perceived pain during intramuscular injections.

Conclusions:

• The Palm Stimulator is an effective non-pharmacological method for reducing perceived pain in children during intramuscular injections.
• This intervention shows promise for improving the experience of pediatric patients in emergency departments.
• The findings support the use of the Palm Stimulator as a valuable tool in pediatric pain management during procedures.