Effects of ShotBlocker® and the Helfer skin tap technique on pain and fear experienced during intramuscular injection among children aged 6–12 years in pediatric emergency units: A randomized controlled trial

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.