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A multidimensional assessment of vibration and cold for venipuncture pain in children aged 7 and above: A randomized
Hu Long-Yi1, Zhou Zi-Yun2, Wang Ming-Li2
1Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China; Department of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Insights
Cold and vibration effectively reduce venipuncture pain and pulse changes in children aged 7 and above. However, these methods did not significantly impact anxiety or cooperation levels in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pain Management
- Medical Interventions
- Child Health
Background:
- Venipuncture is a common procedure causing pain and anxiety in children.
- Effective pain management strategies are crucial for improving pediatric patient experiences.
- Non-pharmacological interventions like cold and vibration warrant investigation for pain reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of cold and vibration in mitigating venipuncture pain in children aged 7 years and older.
- To evaluate the impact of these interventions on objective physiological measures and subjective pain reports.
- To determine if cold and vibration influence child anxiety, parental anxiety, or procedural cooperation.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 120 children (7+ years) undergoing venipuncture.
- Participants were assigned to four groups: cold, vibration, combined cold and vibration, or control.
- Pain, parental anxiety, child anxiety, and nurse-assessed cooperation were measured post-procedure.
Main Results:
- Both cold and vibration, individually and combined, significantly reduced children's pulse rate changes and reported pain (p < 0.05).
- The combination of cold and vibration yielded the most significant reductions in pulse changes and pain scores (p < 0.05).
- No significant effects were observed on children's anxiety, parental anxiety, or cooperation levels (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Cold and vibration are effective in reducing pain and physiological distress during pediatric venipuncture.
- These interventions show promise for pain management but do not appear to alleviate anxiety or improve cooperation.
- Further multicenter research with larger cohorts is recommended to confirm these findings and explore broader applications in pediatric pain management.
Aims:
To investigate the effects of cold and vibration on venipuncture pain in children aged 7 and above, evaluating outcomes through subjective and objective child measures, parental feedback, and nurse assessments.
Method:
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 120 children aged 7 and above undergoing venipuncture between July and November 2023. Participants were allocated into four groups using a random number table: cold, vibration, cold combined with vibration, and a control group. After procedure, pain and parental anxiety were assessed using a self-reported Numerical Rating Scale. Child anxiety was evaluated with the Children's Anxiety Meter Scale, while children's cooperation was evaluated by the operating nurse.
Results:
External cold, vibration, and cold combined with vibration significantly reduced changes in children's pulse and pain (p < 0.05). Multiple comparisons indicated that the cold and vibration combination group exhibited the smallest pulse changes and the lowest pain scores(p < 0.05). However, it cannot yet be concluded that external cold and vibration effectively reduce children's anxiety, relatives' anxiety, or the cooperation of the children (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Cold and vibration significantly reduced pain and physiological responses during venipuncture in children aged 7 and above, though no benefits were found for anxiety or cooperation. Future multicenter studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to further explore its role in pediatric pain management.
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