Effects of two different tactile stimulus methods on pain relief in children during intramuscular injections

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ShotBlocker and Palm Stimulator, developed by researchers, on reducing pain during intramuscular injections in 7-10 years old children. Material and Method: The study was conducted with three groups using the randomized, controlled and experimental research design. The study population consists of 7-10 years old children who were admitted to Kahta State Hospital emergency service and administered an intramuscular injection. The study sample consisted of a total of 159 children, who were divided into the Palm Stimulator (53), ShotBlocker (53) and control (53) groups. The study was conducted between December 2018 and February 2020. Children-parent information form, Children's Fear Scale, Facial Pain Scale-Revised, and Visual Analog Scale were used for the data collection. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, chi-square and intraclass correlation tests were used for the evaluation of the data. Results: The pain score averages assessed by the children, parents and the observer in the Palm Stimulator group were statistically significantly lower than the ShotBlocker and control group score averages (p<0.05). The use of ShotBlocker was found to be not effective in reducing pain as a result of the assessments by the children, parents and the observer (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was found that the use of Palm Stimulator was effective in reducing pain in children but the use of ShotBlocker is ineffective in reducing pain during the administration of intramuscular injection. It is recommended for nurses to use Palm Stimulator as a new, non-pharmacological, effective method in reducing pain caused by the intramuscular injections in children. Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ShotBlocker and Palm Stimulator, developed by researchers, on reducing pain during intramuscular injections in 7-10 years old children. Material and Method: The study was conducted with three groups using the randomized, controlled and experimental research design. The study population consists of 7-10 years old children who were admitted to Kahta State Hospital emergency service and administered an intramuscular injection. The study sample consisted of a total of 159 children, who were divided into the Palm Stimulator (53), ShotBlocker (53) and control (53) groups. The study was conducted between December 2018 and February 2020. Children-parent information form, Children's Fear Scale, Facial Pain Scale-Revised, and Visual Analog Scale were used for the data collection. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, chi-square and intraclass correlation tests were used for the evaluation of the data. Results: The pain score averages assessed by the children, parents and the observer in the Palm Stimulator group were statistically significantly lower than the ShotBlocker and control group score averages (p<0.05). The use of ShotBlocker was found to be not effective in reducing pain as a result of the assessments by the children, parents and the observer (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was found that the use of Palm Stimulator was effective in reducing pain in children but the use of ShotBlocker is ineffective in reducing pain during the administration of intramuscular injection. It is recommended for nurses to use Palm Stimulator as a new, non-pharmacological, effective method in reducing pain caused by the intramuscular injections in children.