Effectiveness of Buzzy® and ShotBlocker® for pain reduction during heel stick procedures in term newborns: A randomized controlled trial.

This study examined the effects of Buzzy® and ShotBlocker® on pain and comfort levels in newborns during heel stick procedures. The study was conducted as a single-center randomized controlled trial in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Obstetrics Department of Samandağ State Hospital between April and November 2025. A total of 174 term newborns were randomly assigned to three groups: Buzzy®, ShotBlocker®, and control. Data were collected using the Infant Information and Follow-up Form, the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), the Newborn Comfort Behavior Scale (NCBS), physiological measurements, and audio recordings used to assess crying duration. Newborns in both the Buzzy® and ShotBlocker® groups demonstrated significantly lower post-procedural pain scores compared to the control group. No significant difference in pain scores was observed between the two intervention groups. Post-procedural NCBS scores were significantly higher in the control group than in the intervention groups. Heart rate responses differed significantly between groups, whereas no significant between-group differences were found in oxygen saturation or post-procedural crying duration. These findings suggest that Buzzy® and ShotBlocker® may be considered as supportive non-pharmacological interventions for procedural pain management in neonatal care. Further multicenter studies are recommended to strengthen the evidence regarding their clinical effectiveness.