Effect of a Non-pharmacological Intervention on Vaccine-related Pain: Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute pain during vaccine administration is an expected event; however, some strategies, such as the use of high frequency vibration devices associated with cryotherapy, may minimize it. AIM: Evaluate the effect of high frequency vibration associated with cryotherapy on the level of pain related to the administration of influenza vaccine by intramuscular route in adults. METHOD: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 350 adults who received the influenza vaccine. Participants allocated to the intervention group used a high-frequency vibration device associated with cryotherapy during vaccination, and those in the control group administered the vaccine according to the service routine. RESULTS: Mean self-reported pain after vaccination of participants who used the device was lower (1.5 ±1.7) when compared to those who did not use it (1.9 ±1.9) (p = .041). There was an association of higher levels of pain after vaccination with participants in the control group (p = .011), females (p = .042), with higher level of pain expected with vaccination (p < .001) and higher level of anxiety before (p < .001) and after vaccination (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of high frequency vibration associated with cryotherapy has been shown to be a viable non-pharmacological intervention for the reduction of pain associated with influenza vaccination in adults.