Effect of the Helfer skin tap technique on pain, anxiety, and fear in children undergoing intramuscular injection: An open-label randomized controlled study

Background

Intramuscular injections, which children frequently experience during hospitalization, are one of the most significant causes of pain. Pain control is an important part of care. Therefore, it is necessary to provide practical methods in the field of nursing care to reduce injection-related pain.

Aim

This study aimed to determine the effect of the Helfer skin tap technique on pain, anxiety, and fear in children undergoing intramuscular injection.

Method

This randomized controlled clinical study (NCT05250804) was conducted in a pediatric emergency department between January and July 2022. A total of 64 children aged 4–10 years were randomly divided into two groups: 32 children in the Helfer skin tap group (HG), and 32 children in the control group (CG). Data were collected using the Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, the Child Anxiety Scale–State, and the Child Fear Scale.

Results

After the intramuscular injection, children in the HG had significantly lower levels of pain, anxiety, and fear than those in the CG, with mean scores of 3.25±1.50 versus 5.18±1.51, 5.87±1.56, versus 6.23±1.46, and 1.68±0.53 versus 3.15±0.76, respectively (p<0.001 for all scores).

Conclusion

The Helfer skin tap technique has positive effects on pain, anxiety, and fear in children during intramuscular injection. This technique can be used by nurses to reduce the pain, anxiety, and fear felt by children receiving an intramuscular injection.