Multimodal sensor assessment of peripheral intravenous cannulation pain in the emergency department: Clinical efficacy of cold spray

Year 2025, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 1 - 8, 25.06.2025

Serhat Karaman , Şakire Murat , Yakup Budak

Abstract

Objective assessment and management of pain during peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIC) is an important area of research in clinical practice. In this prospective, randomized, controlled study, the effectiveness of cold spray application in managing PIC pain was evaluated with a multidimensional approach using sensor technologies. The study included 205 patients (105 experimental, 100 control), and pain intensity was measured subjectively with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). At the same time, objective physiological parameters were recorded with galvanic skin response (GSR) sensors and thermal imaging devices. The mean NRS score was 2.00±2.04 in the cold spray group and 5.21±2.38 in the control group (p<0.001). Sensor data showed a significant reduction in GSR of 42% (p=0.003) and a temperature decrease of 3.1°C at the application site (p<0.001). 87% of patients stated that they would use the method again. This study reveals that cold spray significantly reduces PIC pain with subjective and objective measurements and offers an effective analgesic option in emergency department applications. This sensor-assisted multidimensional assessment approach can potentially set a new standard in pain management.

Keywords

Peripheral intravenous, , Pain management , Coolant spray , Biosensors

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