Shotblocker or Cold Application; Which One is More Effective in Reducing Anxiety and Pain Associated with the Intramuscular Injection in Children?: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Pain is associated with most invasive interventions in childhood and considered as an unpleasant condition; thus, it should be relieved. This study aimed at investigating the effect of two different non -pharmacological pain -relief methods on reducing the pain and anxiety associated with intramuscular (IM) injection in children. Methods: This study was a prospective experimental randomized controlled trial. The sample of the study comprised 150 children aged 7 to 12 years who were brought to the pediatric injection room in a university hospital and had IM injection. The children were randomized into the Shotblocker (n=50), cold application (n=50) and control (n=50) groups. Results: The children in the control group felt pain more than did the children in the ShotBlocker and cold application groups. The difference was statistically significant. Assessment of the anxiety level during the IM injection demonstrated that the children in the control group experienced anxiety statistically significantly more than did the children in the ShotBlocker group. Conclusion: The children in the ShotBlocker and cold application groups experienced pain less than did the children in the control group during the IM injection. When compared to the Cold Application method, ShotBlocker method is more effective in reducing IM injection -related pain and fear.