Comparing the effectiveness of cooling and vibrational cooling for pain and fear reduction during insulin injection in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study compared the effectiveness of cooling (CoolSense) and vibrating cooling (Buzzy) in reducing pain and fear during insulin injections in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

METHOD: This randomized controlled study was conducted in Türkiye from July 2023 to February 2024. Ninety children aged 6-10 years with newly diagnosed T1DM (≤2 weeks) receiving subcutaneous insulin were randomly assigned to Buzzy (n = 30), CoolSense (n = 30), or Control (n = 30) groups. Data were collected using the Child-Parent Information Form, Wong-Baker FACES (WBF), and Children's Fear Scale (CFS).

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 53.3 % girls and 46.7 % boys, with a mean age of 8.01 ± 1.45 years. There were no significant differences in demographic or clinical characteristics between the groups prior to the intervention (p > .05). During insulin administration, pain and fear scores reported by children, parents, and observers were significantly lower in the CoolSense and Buzzy groups compared with the control group (p < .001). Post-hoc analyses revealed no statistically significant differences between the CoolSense and Buzzy groups in either pain or fear scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Both CoolSense and Buzzy effectively reduced pain and fear during insulin injections in children with T1DM, with no statistically significant difference between the two methods.

IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: Given their proven effectiveness and child-friendly nature, pediatric nurses can incorporate either CoolSense or Buzzy into routine insulin administration to enhance children's comfort and minimize needle-related distress. Choice of method may depend on cost, accessibility, and patient preference.