Effect of Using Foot Massage on Relief of Pain intensity among Preschool Children Undergoing Venipuncture: A Clinical Trial Study

Abstract

Background: Foot massage is a distraction technique can be used during invasive procedures to direct children's attention away from the painful stimuli. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of foot massage on pain intensity among hospitalized preschool children undergoing venipuncture. Methods: In these clinical trial study, at the internal pediatric ward of Besat Hospital, Hamadan, Iran, 70 children aged 3-5 years were selected using convenience sampling and randomly allocated into the experimental (n=35) and control groups (n=35). The experimental group was received foot massage 5 minutes before venipuncture. Pain intensity was measured using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry/ Consolability scale immediately and two minutes after catheter insertion. Heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation were measured as pain physiological indicators using a pulse oximeter five minutes before, immediately, and two minutes after catheter insertion. Results: The mean pain intensity scores immediately and two minutes after intravenous catheter insertion were 2.71±1.36, and 1.11±0.86, respectively, in the experimental group, and were 7.54±1.33, and 4.20±1.52, respectively in the control group. The mean of pain intensity between the experimental and control groups revealed a significant difference immediately and two minutes after venipuncture (p <0.001). The mean heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation between the two groups were only significantly different immediately after venipuncture (p <0.001). Practice Implications: This finding is clinically important in nursing care because reduced pain and anxiety. Therefore can decrease drug-related complications and adverse effects. The training and use of this method suggested to medical personnel, especially nurses.