European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECTIVENESS OF COLD APPLICATION ON INTRAVENOUS CANNULATION PAIN RESPONSE AMONG HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN

Pushpa Chand Thakuri*, Basant Kumar Karn, Ramanand Chaudhary, Sunita Shah, Shipra Chaudhary

ABSTRACT

Background: Intravenous cannulation is one of the most common painful procedure performed in hospitalized children. Cold application is considered as simple and effective non-pharmacological method for reducing procedural pain. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of cold application on intravenous cannulation pain response among hospitalized children. Methods: An experimental (Post test only) study was conducted among children of age group 4-14 years admitted in pediatric emergency and pediatric wards of BPKIHS. Total 86 participants undergoing intravenous cannulation were selected by consecutive sampling technique and allocated randomly to control group and experimental group. Ice cubes covered by 0.4mm thick plastic and wrapped in cotton cloth of 0.6mm thickness was applied over 5x5cm2 area proximal to site of cannulation for 3 minutes prior to intravenous cannulation in experimental group only. Children’s pain response was assessed in both experimental and control group via self report using Faces Pain Scale- Revised. Mann Whitney test was used to compare means of pain score between experimental and control group. Results: The mean pain score among experimental group was 3.24 and in control group 6.98. Experimental group showed significantly lower pain (p<0.001) compared to the control group. Application of cold did not cause a significant difference in the success of Intravenous cannulation. There was no association between socio-demographic variables, background variables and pain response in children. Conclusion: Cold application prior to intravenous cannulation is effective in reducing pain in children.

Keywords: Cold application; Intravenous cannulation; Pain.