Effect of vibration on pain during subcutaneous heparin injection: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives ‒ The administration of subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) injections frequently causes injection pain, disrupting the comfort of patients. No studies were found evaluating the effect of the application of local vibration in the management of pain relating to subcutaneous LMWH injection. The aim of this study is to examine the effect on injection pain of the local vibration technique applied to the injection site during subcutaneous LMWH injection. Methods ‒ The patients were randomly assigned to an experimental (vibration) group (n = 32), a placebo control group (n = 30), and a nonintervention control group (n = 31). Participants in the experimental group were given slight vibration to the injection site before the injection was administered; for participants in the placebo group, the device was placed on the injection site but with the vibration button kept switched off, while for the nonintervention control group, routine subcutaneous LMWH injection was administered. The level of pain felt by the participants during the administration of the injection was assessed with a visual analog scale. Results ‒ The pain score of the participants during the subcutaneous LMWH injection was found to be significantly lower in the vibration group than in the control group (p < 0.001) and the placebo control group (p = 0.005), but there was no significant difference between the control and placebo control groups (p = 0.435). Conclusion ‒ It was found that the local vibration technique applied to the site of subcutaneous LMWH injection was effective in reducing the pain developing in relation to the injection. Healthcare professionals can use the vibration technique in the management of the pain relating to subcutaneous heparin injection.