Effects of cold needle and ShotBlocker applied in the emergency department on pain and satisfaction in intramuscular injection pain: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

The most commonly reported side effect of intramuscular injection is pain. Cold needles and ShotBlocker can be used as non-pharmacological methods for pain relief. This study aims to determine the effect of cold needle and ShotBlocker on pain and satisfaction in intramuscular injection pain.

METHODS

This is a triple-blind, randomized controlled study. The study was conducted on 120 patients (40: control, 40: cold needle, 40: ShotBlocker) who presented to the emergency department of a university hospital in Turkey for cyanocobalamin injection in July-August 2024. Data were collected using a patient identification form, visual pain scale (VPS), and injection satisfaction scale. SPSS statistical package (version 22.0; SPSS, Inc., USA) was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

In the study, the groups were found to be similar except for age and continuous drug use. The pain scores of the control group were significantly higher than those of the cold needle and ShotBlocker groups. Injection satisfaction was significantly higher in the cold needle and ShotBlocker groups than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Both the Cold Needle and the ShotBlocker can be used as effective methods to reduce pain associated with intramuscular injections and improve injection satisfaction. Both methods are non-pharmacological, inexpensive, and easy to use, and they can be used safely and effectively in all clinical settings.