The Efficacy of EMLA Cream vs. Synera Patch for Pain Reduction During Venipuncture in Children

Phase 2

Completed

Conditions: Pain
Needle Phobia

Interventions: Drug: EMLA Cream
Combination Product: Synera Patch

Registration Number: NCT00530803

Lead Sponsor: Montefiore Medical Center

Brief Summary: This study compares the efficacy of the Synera patch with Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics (EMLA) as a topical anesthetic for venipuncture in pediatric patients.

Detailed Description: Venipunctures are common and necessary components of pediatric health care. Unfortunately, many children have "needle phobia" and even a simple procedure, such as a venipuncture, can cause significant stress and anxiety to the patient and the parents involved. Studies have shown that needles are the worst part of hospital/healthcare related visits for children.

The Synera patch uses a controlled heating system to transcutaneously deliver a lidocaine/tetracaine mixture for analgesic effect. No published studies compare the efficacy of the Synera patch with other topical anesthetics in children. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of the Synera patch applied for 20 minutes with the efficacy of EMLA Cream applied for 60 minutes in reducing pain associated with venipunctures in children.

Patients, 4-12 years old children requiring venipunctures in clinics, were randomized to receive Synera for 20 minutes or EMLA for 60 minutes. A blinded observer recorded pain scores using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Child and parent assessed pain with the Wong-Baker FACES Scale and the NRS, respectively. The primary outcome was the number of subjects reporting "no pain". Secondary outcomes were parent and observer measures of the child's pain and the presence of skin reactions.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 100

Inclusion Criteria

Children in outpatient clinics requiring venipuncture for medical care
Ages 4-12 years old
The ability to demonstrate proper understanding of the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Ranking Scale
Parents of enrolled children need to be present during the procedure and be willing to rate their child's pain

Exclusion Criteria

Damaged or inflamed skin at the designated application site
Known sensitivity to components of Synera or EMLA (lidocaine, tetracaine, or local anesthetics of the amide or ester type, Para Aminobenzoic (PABA) derivatives)
Contraindications to SYnera or EMLA use (Severe hepatic disease, history of drug-induced methemoglobinemia, taking Class 1 antiarrhythmics)
Use of analgesics during the past 24 hours

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
EMLA Cream	EMLA Cream	Participants will have a dose of EMLA Cream applied to the venipuncture site 1 hour before the procedure. Dosage based on age and weight: 4-6 years old and heavier than 10kg will receive 10g of EMLA; 7-12 years old and more than 20kg will receive 20g of EMLA.
Synera Patch	Synera Patch	Participants will have a Synera Patch applied to the venipuncture site 20 minutes prior to the procedure.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Participants Self-rating of Pain Using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale.	immediately after completion of venipuncture	Participants were asked to report their level of pain using a 6-point Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale ranging from 0, "no pain," to 5, "the most pain you can have." The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale is a validated tool for measuring pain in patients as young as 3 years old. A FACES pain score less than or equal to 2 is considered no pain to mild pain, and is clinically acceptable. Studies have shown average FACES pain scores for children receiving vascular access with placebo to be 2.2 to 3.5.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Blinded Observer's Subjective Ratings of the Participant's Pain Level at 5 Minutes Post Venipuncture Procedure, Using a 6-point NRS	5 minutes post venipuncture	The NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) is a 6-point rating scale where 0= no pain and 5 = worst pain. Blinded observers reported their own subjective evaluation of the level of pain participants were experiencing 5 minutes after the venipuncture was completed. Total number of participants subjectively evaluated as experiencing each pain level is reported.
Parent Rating of Child's Pain Using a 6-point NRS	immediately after venipuncture is completed	The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) is a 6-point rating scale where 0= no pain and 5 = worst pain. Parents reported their own subjective evaluation of participants pain level. Each participant had only one parental assessment. Total number of parental assessment for each pain level on the 6-point NRS is reported as total number of participants experiencing that pain level.
Blinded Observer's Subjective Ratings of Participants' Pain Level at Tourniquet Placement, Using a 6-point NRS	before venipuncture	The NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) is a 6-point rating scale where 0= no pain and 5 = worst pain. Blinded observers reported their own subjective evaluation of the level of pain experienced by the participants at tourniquet placement. Total number of participants subjectively evaluated as experiencing each pain level is reported.
Blinded Observer's Subjective Ratings of the Participant's Pain Level at Needle Insertion, Using a 6-point NRS	during needle insertion	The NRS (Numerical Rating Scale) is a 6-point rating scale where 0= no pain and 5 = worst pain. Blinded observers reported their own subjective evaluation of the level of pain experienced by the participants at needle insertion. Total number of participants subjectively evaluated as experiencing each pain level is reported.