The effect of buzzy and cold spray on pain, anxiety, and fear of children during venipuncture in pediatric emergency department in Turkey; a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Purpose: It was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Buzzy and cold spray in reducing pain, anxiety, and fear of children during venipuncture in the emergency department (ED). Methods: This study is an experimental, parallel-group (intervention-control), randomized controlled, single-blind design. The study was conducted with 161 children aged 5–12 years in pediatric ED. Data were collected by the ‘Personal Information Form’, ‘Wong Baker-Facial Expression Rating Scale’, ‘Child Anxiety Statement Scale’, and ‘Child Fear Inventory’. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis H test, and Intraclass Correlation. Results: Descriptive features of the children were homogeneous. ‘Wong Baker-Facial Expression Rating Scale’, ‘Child Anxiety Statement Scale’, and ‘Child Fear Scale’ score averages of the children in the control group were higher than the children in the Buzzy group and the cold spray group (p < 0.001). The pain scores of the Buzzy group were higher than those in the cold spray group (p < 0.001). The anxiety and fear mean scores of the children in the Buzzy and cold spray groups were similar (p > 0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that Buzzy and cold spray were more effective than standard care in reducing the level of pain, anxiety, and fear in children ages 5–12 years during venipuncture in the pediatric emergency. The cold spray was more effective in reducing pain than Buzzy. Practice implications: Nurses can use Buzzy and cold sprays to manage the fear, anxiety, and pain associated with venipuncture.