Comparison of two different methods to reduce intramuscular injection pain; cold spray and shotblocker

Comparison of Two Different Methods to Reduce Intramuscular Injection Pain; Cold Spray and ShotBlocker Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of cold spray and ShotBlockerapplications on pain, which are used to reduce pain associated with intramuscular injection in adults. Material and Methods: This is a randomized controlled experimental design study with placebo and control groups. The population of the study consisted of adult individuals who applied to the Adult Emergency Department of Turgut Özal Medical Center and received diclofenac sodium injection. The study was conducted with a total of 195 adults assigned to the ShotBlocker (39), cold spray (39), control (39), ShotBlocker placebo (39), and cold spray placebo (39) groups. The research was conducted between February 2020 and December 2020. Participant Introduction Form and Visual Comparison Scale were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, t test, and Chi-square test were used to evaluate the data. Results: In the study, a statistically significant difference was found between the mean post-injection pain scores of the intervention, control, and placebo groups (p <0.05). It was determined that the average pain scores of the individuals in the cold spray group (1.09 ± 1.31) were lower than the average pain scores (2.10 ± 1.69) of the individuals in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the post-injection pain scores of the individuals in the ShotBlocker group and the other groups (p> 0.05). Conclusion: While it was determined that using the cold spray in intramuscular injection application is an effective method in reducing injection-related pain in adults, it was determined that using ShotBlocker was ineffective in reducing injection-related pain. Keywords: Pain, Injection, Nonpharmacological approach, ShotBlocker, Cold spray