RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In pediatric emergency units, intramuscular injection is one of the most common procedures that cause pain and fear in children. Reducing pain and fear is important for patient comfort. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled experimental study aimed to determine the effects of ShotBlocker® and the Helfer skin tap technique on the pain and fear experienced by children aged 6-12 years during intramuscular injection in pediatric emergency units. METHODS: This study was conducted from April 2022 to October 2023 among 177 children aged 6-12 years. ShotBlocker and the Helfer skin tap technique were applied during intramuscular injection among children in the intervention groups (ShotBlocker group: n = 59, Helfer skin tap technique group: n = 59), while children in the control group received routine injections. (n = 59). The levels of pain and fear were measured. RESULTS: In the analysis of the age distribution of the children, the average age of the Helfer skin tap technique group was found to be 8.54 ± 2.00 years; ShotBlocker group, 8.46 ± 1.99 years; and control group, 9.19 ± 2.01 years. There was a significant difference in the post-intervention Wong-Baker Pain Scale and Child Fear Scale scores based on the evaluation of the children, parents, and observer nurses between the groups (p < 0.05). The pain and fear scores of the ShotBlocker group were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ShotBlocker is more effective in reducing pain than the Helfer skin tap technique among children receiving intramuscular injection. These cheap and easy-to-use methods are recommended for use in emergency units.
