The Effect of Distraction Techniques Used in Intramuscular (IM) Injections on Pain in Adolescents Presenting to the Emergency Department With Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Study

NCT ID: NCT06842329

Last Updated: 2025-02-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

90 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-10-01

Study Completion Date

2025-04-01

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Brief Summary:

This study investigates the effectiveness of non-pharmacological techniques for managing dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) in adolescents. The study focuses on methods such as Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) and ShotBlocker, which aim to reduce pain without medication. The goal is to determine how these techniques can help adolescents manage their pain more effectively.

The study targets adolescents aged 12-18 who experience menstrual pain. Participants will be monitored over several months to assess the impact of these techniques on their pain levels, emotional well-being, and daily activities.

Participation in the study poses minimal risks. However, the effectiveness of these pain management techniques may vary from person to person. By the end of the study, the aim is to improve pain management strategies for adolescents and gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments for dysmenorrhea.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological pain management techniques, namely the Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) and ShotBlocker, in reducing pain intensity during intramuscular injections in adolescents who present with dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) in the emergency department. This study compares these techniques with a control group receiving standard intramuscular (IM) injection procedures.

Study Design:

This is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to assess the pain-reducing effects of two non-pharmacological techniques during intramuscular injections. The study took place at Ladik State Hospital Emergency Department from October 1, 2025, to April 1, 2025. Participants were adolescent girls aged 12-18 years presenting to the emergency department with dysmenorrhea. The study compares the following groups:

* Group 1: Participants who receive Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT).
* Group 2: Participants who use the ShotBlocker device.
* Control Group: Participants who receive standard intramuscular injection without any pain management techniques.

Hypotheses:

1. First Hypothesis (H₁): The group receiving Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) will experience lower pain intensity during the intramuscular injection compared to the group receiving the ShotBlocker technique and the control group.
2. Second Hypothesis (H₂): The group using the ShotBlocker will experience lower pain intensity during the intramuscular injection compared to the control group.
3. Third Hypothesis (H₃): The group receiving Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) will experience lower pain intensity compared to the group using the ShotBlocker technique.
4. Fourth Hypothesis (H₄): The control group will experience higher pain intensity compared to the groups receiving Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) or ShotBlocker.

Study Procedure:

Adolescents aged 12-18 years experiencing dysmenorrhea were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT), ShotBlocker, or the control group. The pain intensity during the intramuscular injection was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a widely used method for measuring pain intensity. Pain ratings were recorded immediately after the injection, and follow-up evaluations were conducted to assess the continued effects on pain and emotional well-being.

Expected Outcomes:

We anticipate that both the Helfer Skin Tap Technique and ShotBlocker will reduce pain intensity during the injection, with the Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) potentially offering the most significant reduction in pain compared to the ShotBlocker and the control group. Secondary outcomes include emotional well-being, quality of life related to menstrual pain, and any adverse events related to the techniques used.

Risk and Safety Considerations:

The risks associated with participation in this study are minimal. The primary risk is mild discomfort or temporary soreness from the techniques being applied, which is rare and usually resolves quickly. All participants will be monitored for any adverse effects during the study. The techniques used, including HSTT and ShotBlocker, are safe, non-invasive, and commonly used in clinical settings.

Data Collection and Analysis:

Pain levels will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and data will be statistically analyzed to compare the effectiveness of each technique. We will evaluate the difference in pain intensity between the three groups and assess the feasibility of these non-pharmacological techniques for managing dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls. Statistical methods, including ANOVA and t-tests, will be employed to analyze the data.

Conclusion:

This study aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological pain management techniques, specifically the Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) and ShotBlocker, in reducing pain intensity in adolescents with dysmenorrhea during intramuscular injections. If successful, the findings could lead to better pain management options for adolescents, offering them drug-free solutions for managing menstrual pain, thus improving their quality of life.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Dysmenorrhea Pain Distraction Methods

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This is a randomized controlled trial with a parallel assignment design. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: the Helfer Skin Tap technique group, the ShotBlocker technique group, and the control group (standard intramuscular injection). The effectiveness of non-pharmacological pain management techniques in reducing dysmenorrhea pain will be compared across these groups.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

"In this study, both the participants and the investigators are aware of the intervention being applied. Participants in the Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) group, ShotBlocker group, and control group are informed about the specific treatment they receive."

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

1. Helfer Skin Tap Technique Group

This group will receive the Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) as a non-pharmacological pain management intervention during intramuscular injection for dysmenorrhea. The effectiveness of this technique in reducing pain will be evaluated.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Halfer Skin Tape Technique

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) is a non-pharmacological pain management method that involves a series of gentle taps on the skin prior to an intramuscular injection. This technique is intended to distract the patient from the pain of the injection and reduce perceived pain intensity by stimulating different sensory pathways.

2.ShotBlocker Technique Group

This group will receive the ShotBlocker technique during intramuscular injection for dysmenorrhea as a non-pharmacological pain management intervention. The effectiveness of this technique in reducing pain will be evaluated.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

ShotBlocker Technique

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

ShotBlocker is a non-pharmacological device that applies pressure to the skin at the injection site to disrupt pain signals and reduce the pain perception during intramuscular injections. The pressure stimulates the sensory nerve fibers, which helps block the sharp pain from the needle insertion.

3. Control Group

This group will receive a standard intramuscular injection (IM) without any additional pain management technique. The pain intensity in this group will be compared to the other intervention groups.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Standard Intramusculer injection

Intervention Type OTHER

The control group will receive a standard intramuscular injection without the use of any pain management techniques (such as HSTT or ShotBlocker). This group serves as a baseline to compare the effect

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Halfer Skin Tape Technique

Helfer Skin Tap Technique (HSTT) is a non-pharmacological pain management method that involves a series of gentle taps on the skin prior to an intramuscular injection. This technique is intended to distract the patient from the pain of the injection and reduce perceived pain intensity by stimulating different sensory pathways.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

ShotBlocker Technique

ShotBlocker is a non-pharmacological device that applies pressure to the skin at the injection site to disrupt pain signals and reduce the pain perception during intramuscular injections. The pressure stimulates the sensory nerve fibers, which helps block the sharp pain from the needle insertion.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard Intramusculer injection

The control group will receive a standard intramuscular injection without the use of any pain management techniques (such as HSTT or ShotBlocker). This group serves as a baseline to compare the effect

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Exclusion Criteria

* Individuals with severe cardiovascular, neurological, or other serious medical conditions.
* Pregnant individuals.
* Individuals undergoing regular hormonal therapy or using birth control methods.
* Individuals with significant psychological or physiological conditions related to pain sensitivity (e.g., hyperalgesia).
* Individuals receiving other pharmacological treatments or pain management medications during the study.
Minimum Eligible Age

12 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Ondokuz Mayıs University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Duygu MEZDE

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Duygu MEZDE

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Ladik Devlet Hastanesi

Samsun, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Duygu Mezde, MSN

Role: CONTACT

+905418848596

Esra Tural Büyük, Prof Dr

Role: CONTACT

+905052795196

Related Links

Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.

https://acikbilim.yok.gov.tr/handle/20.500.12812/122468

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ShotBlocker and Palm Stimulator, developed by researchers, on reducing pain during intramuscular injections in 7-10 years old children.Material and Method: The study was conducted with three groups usin

https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/TezGoster?key=kScA8XnrRb0WogX-qPGFkskAxpWgS7oPxXLAO7Y8emdlrs8idIHyUX6qoF4dV_El

The Effect of Buzzy Method on Reducing Pain During Intramuscular Injection in Children. Hasan Kalyoncu University, Graduate Education Institute, Department of Nursing, Master Thesis, Gaziantep, 2022. There search was carried out as a randomized controlle

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38171061/

The effects of vibration and pressure methods on the level of fear, anxiety, and pain of pediatric patients who were admitted to the emergency department for intramuscular injection were evaluated.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/1028/1/012103

The study purpose was to determine the decrease of dysmenorrhea pain rate after being given abdominal stretching exercise on nursing students at STIKES TanawaliPersada, Takalar, Indonesia.

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

not yet assignet

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

E-26521195-604.01-256976619

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.