The Effects of Cold Spray and Stress Ball Methods on Perceived Pain, Comfort, and Satisfaction During Intramuscular Injection: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study Description

Brief Summary:

Intramuscular (IM) injection is a widely used method for drug administration, with over 12 billion applications globally each year. Despite its therapeutic advantages, IM injection often causes pain, which can negatively impact patient comfort and lead to injection fear, non-compliance, and avoidance of healthcare services. Effective pain management during IM injection is an ethical and professional responsibility for nurses. This randomized controlled study aims to compare the effectiveness of cold spray and stress ball squeezing methods against standard practice in reducing IM injection-related pain. The study will be conducted in the emergency department of a university hospital in Turkey between March and June 2025, involving 66 patients prescribed IM diclofenac sodium. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: cold spray, stress ball, or control. Pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) within the first minute after injection.

Detailed Description:

Intramuscular (IM) injection is a fundamental method for delivering drugs directly into muscle tissue for systemic circulation. It is one of the most common invasive procedures in clinical practice globally, with over 12 billion applications annually. While offering faster absorption and higher bioavailability compared to oral and other parenteral routes for various pharmacological agents like vaccines, analgesics, sedatives, and antibiotics, IM injection can cause pain during administration, affecting patient comfort. This pain is a frequently reported side effect and can lead to injection phobia, non-adherence to treatment, and avoidance of health services. Consequently, managing pain during IM injections is a crucial ethical and professional responsibility for nurses.