Buzzy and TickleFlex in Reducing Insulin Injection Pain and Fear

NCT ID: NCT07239700

Last Updated: 2025-11-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 90 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-06-06
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-15

Brief Summary

This interventional randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two nonpharmacological devices, Buzzy and TickleFlex, in reducing pain and fear associated with insulin injections among children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM).

A total of 90 participants aged 6 to 12 years will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Buzzy, TickleFlex, or control. The Buzzy device provides combined cold and vibration stimulation near the injection site to decrease pain perception based on the gate control theory, while the TickleFlex device is a soft, flexible attachment for insulin pens designed to minimize needle pressure and discomfort during injection.

Pain and fear will be assessed immediately before and after a single insulin injection using validated instruments, including the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and the Children's Fear Scale (CFS), rated independently by the child, parent, and researcher.

It is hypothesized that both Buzzy and TickleFlex applications will significantly reduce pain and fear compared to standard insulin injection without intervention. The study is expected to provide evidence supporting the use of nonpharmacological methods in pediatric diabetes care to improve children's comfort and treatment adherence.

Detailed Description

Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) require multiple daily insulin injections, which are often associated with pain, fear, and anxiety. Repeated exposure to needle-related discomfort can negatively affect children's treatment adherence, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. Therefore, there is a growing need for safe, practical, and nonpharmacological interventions to improve the injection experience in pediatric diabetes care.

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of two noninvasive devices-Buzzy and TickleFlex-in reducing pain and fear during insulin injections in children with T1DM. The Buzzy device uses vibration and cold stimulation to reduce pain perception through the gate control mechanism, while the TickleFlex device, a soft and flexible attachment for insulin pens, minimizes needle pressure and distributes the injection sensation evenly.

A total of 90 children aged 6-12 years will be randomly assigned to three groups: Buzzy, TickleFlex, and control. All participants will receive a single subcutaneous insulin injection as part of their regular diabetes management. Pain and fear levels will be measured before and immediately after the injection using validated scales: the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and the Children's Fear Scale (CFS), rated independently by the child, parent, and researcher.

It is hypothesized that both Buzzy and TickleFlex will significantly reduce perceived pain and fear compared with standard insulin injection without intervention. Findings from this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based pediatric nursing practices by supporting the integration of nonpharmacological pain management methods into routine diabetes care.

Conditions

Diabete Type 1; Diabetes in Children

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Buzzy Device Application

Participants received vibration and cold stimulation using the Buzzy device before and during insulin injection.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Buzzy

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The Buzzy device is a non-invasive, bee-shaped device that combines cold and vibration to reduce pain perception during needle procedures. It was applied for 30 seconds before and during insulin administration to reduce pain and fear according to the gate control theory.

TickleFlex Device Application

Participants used the TickleFlex device attached to their insulin pens during insulin injection.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

TickleFlex

Intervention Type: DEVICE

The TickleFlex device is a soft, flexible insulin-pen attachment that gently stretches the skin and diffuses needle pressure, reducing injection pain and anxiety in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Standard Insulin Injection (Control)

Participants received routine insulin injections without any adjunctive device or intervention.

Group Type: OTHER

None (Routine Care)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standard subcutaneous insulin injection performed following pediatric diabetes nursing protocols.

Interventions

Buzzy

The Buzzy device is a non-invasive, bee-shaped device that combines cold and vibration to reduce pain perception during needle procedures. It was applied for 30 seconds before and during insulin administration to reduce pain and fear according to the gate control theory.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

TickleFlex

The TickleFlex device is a soft, flexible insulin-pen attachment that gently stretches the skin and diffuses needle pressure, reducing injection pain and anxiety in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

None (Routine Care)

Standard subcutaneous insulin injection performed following pediatric diabetes nursing protocols.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Children aged 6 to 12 years.
• Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) for at least 6 months.
• Receiving daily subcutaneous insulin injections as part of routine diabetes management.
• Able to understand and communicate pain and fear levels using the Wong-Baker -FACES Pain Rating Scale and the Children's Fear Scale.
• Accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide informed consent.
• Willingness of both the child and parent to participate in the study.
• No visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments that would interfere with data collection.

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of neurological, sensory, or cognitive disorders that may affect pain or fear perception.
• Peripheral neuropathy or other diabetic complications influencing pain sensation.
• Use of analgesics, sedatives, or anxiolytic medications within 24 hours prior to data collection.
• Local skin lesions, infections, or allergies at or near the insulin injection site.
• History of needle phobia or severe anxiety disorders diagnosed by a healthcare professional.
• Concurrent participation in another interventional clinical study.
• Refusal or inability of the child or parent/guardian to provide written informed consent.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 6 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 12 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Hakkari Universitesi

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Nesrullah AYŞİN

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Nesrullah AYŞİN, PHD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hakkari University

Locations

Hakkari University

Hakkâri, Centre, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

HakkariU-SHMYO-NA-01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id