Determination of the Effect of ShotBlocker in Reducing Intramuscular Injection Pain in Adult Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the ShotBlocker device on pain intensity due to intramuscular injection in adult patients presenting to the emergency department. Material and Method: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. Data were collected from patients who presented to the emergency department of a public hospital in southern Türkiye and volunteered to participate in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups using a randomization program. Data collection tools included a Personal and Medication Information Form and the Visual Analog Scale. Results: 80 participants were equally distributed in the intervention and control groups. Gender distribution was equal across both groups. The mean age of participants was 42.20±14.60 years in the intervention group and 47.00±15.10 years in the control group. Diclofenac sodium was the most frequently administered medication in both groups (Intervention: 24, Control: 22). It was determined that the mean pain scores of the participants in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Additionally, within the intervention group, pre- and post-injection pain scores varied according to gender, marital status, educational level, income status, and medication type. Conclusion: The ShotBlocker appears to be a potentially effective non-pharmacological method for managing pain associated with intramuscular injections in adult patients. Its implementation in emergency care settings may contribute to improving patient comfort and enhancing pain management strategies. This study's findings are limited by its single-center design, focus solely on post-injection pain, exclusion of other outcome variables, and reliance on self-reported pain assessment.

Keywords

• ShotBlocker
• emergency department
• pain
• ıntramuscular injection
• nursing

Kaynakça

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