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The effects of vibration and pressure interventions on children's pain, fear and anxiety: A randomized controlled
Hatice Uzsen1, Esra Tural Buyuk1, Emel Odabasoglu2
1Nursing Department, Pediatric Nursing, Health Sciences Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
Insights
Vibration and pressure methods significantly reduced pain, anxiety, and fear in children during intramuscular injections. These interventions offer effective relief for pediatric patients aged 5-10 years.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Pain Management
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Intramuscular injections are common in pediatric emergency departments.
- Fear, anxiety, and pain are significant concerns during these procedures for children.
- Effective non-pharmacological interventions are needed to improve patient experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of vibration and pressure methods in reducing fear, anxiety, and pain in pediatric patients undergoing intramuscular injections.
- To compare these interventions against a control group in an emergency department setting.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled study involving 114 children (5-10 years) in Turkey.
- Children were divided into three groups: vibration intervention, pressure intervention, and control.
- Fear, anxiety, and pain levels were assessed by children, parents, and nurses before and after the procedure.
Main Results:
- Both vibration and pressure interventions significantly reduced pain scores compared to the control group (p < 0.000).
- Significant reductions in anxiety and fear scores were observed in the intervention groups versus the control group (p < 0.000).
- Results were consistent across evaluations by children, mothers, and nurses.
Conclusions:
- Vibration and pressure interventions are effective in mitigating pain, anxiety, and fear associated with intramuscular injections in children.
- These methods provide a useful and practical approach to enhance comfort for pediatric patients aged 5-10 years during injections.
Aim:
The effects of vibration and pressure methods on the level of fear, anxiety, and pain of pediatric patients who were admitted to the emergency department for intramuscular injection were evaluated.
Methods:
This was a parallel group and a randomized controlled study conducted in Turkey. The study sample consisted of 114 children aged between 5 and 10 years who presented to the emergency department to receive intramuscular ceftriaxone injection as part of their treatment. The children were randomized into three groups: Vibration Intervention Group (n = 38), Pressure Intervention Group (n = 38) and Control Group (n = 38). Before the procedure, the level of anxiety and fear of the children were evaluated, and the level of perceived pain during the procedure was immediately evaluated after the intervention. Parents and nurses also rated the level of pain. Data were analyzed with non-parametric tests using SPSS version 26.0.
Results:
According to the evaluations made by children, mothers, and nurses, there was a significant difference between pain scores of children in the vibration and pressure intervention groups during the procedure and children in the control group (p < 0.000). There was a significant difference between anxiety and fear scores of children in the vibration and pressure groups and children in the control group before and after the intervention according to the evaluations of the children, mothers, and nurses (p < 0.000).
Conclusion:
Vibration and pressure interventions used during intramuscular injections administered to children in the emergency department were found to reduce pain, anxiety, and fear based on the evaluations of children, mothers, and nurses.
Practice Implications:
Vibration and pressure are effective and useful in relieving pain associated with intramuscular injections in children aged between 5 and 10 years.
