Effect of cryotherapy at venipuncture site on pain intensity among children undergoing blood sampling

Abstract

Blood drawing is one of the most frightening and distressing nursing procedures for hospitalized children. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of cryotherapy at venipuncture site on pain intensity among children undergoing blood sampling. One group pre-posttest quasi-experimental research design was utilized in the current study. 60 preschool-age children participated in the study at pediatric medical unit in Minia University Hospital for Obstetrics and Pediatrics. The tools used in the study were Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale and Vital Signs Recording Sheet. The study resulted that total mean scores of Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale were decreased markedly after cryotherapy application on the venipuncture site with highly statistically significant differences. The study concluded that cryotherapy effectively diminishes pain intensity at the venipuncture site among preschool children during blood sampling. The study recommended that, Pediatric health care units should integrate cryotherapy to manage needle puncture pain in the routine care for children undergoing venipuncture procedures.