Effects of a flash of light in different colors on venous cannulation pain: a randomized, controlled trial

When Lights Can Breathe: Investigating the Influences of Breathing Lights on Users' Emotion

Light can significantly influence users' physiological and behavioural performance. However, how light breathing influences users' mood regulation remains unknown. To fill this gap, this study conducted a 2-by-2 experiment (N = 20) with light breathing as the between-subject factor and light condition as the within-subject factor. Both physiological indicators and subjective indicators are measured to reflect mood regulation. The data were analysed using a generalised linear mixed model. The results showed that breathing lights are effective in regulating users' moods. More specifically, breathing lights help users lower their electrodermal values and heart rates. Users did not report any significant difference in terms of subjective measures, which suggest that the influence of a breathing light happens unconsciously. Furthermore, this effect is significant for both cold and warm colour temperatures. Designers and engineers can use the research findings to manage user emotion when necessary.

The Role of Nonpharmacological Methods in Attenuation of Pain Due to Peripheral Venous Cannulation: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background

Establishing an intravenous access is indispensable for safe administration of anesthesia. Most of the times, it is executed without any analgesia although the pain associated with this procedure is quite agonizing to the patients.

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the role of 3 different nonpharmacological measures such as Valsalva maneuver, flash of light, and distraction method in attenuation of pain during venous cannulation.

Design

A clinical randomized controlled study.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred patients of either sex, aged between 18 and 65 years, posted for elective surgery were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into four groups, Group C-control, Group V (valsalva) - blew into sphygmomanometer raising the mercury column up to 30 mm of Hg, Group D (distraction) - pressed a rubber ball and Group L (light) - photographed with a flash of light before venous cannulation. During the process of cannulation, patients were observed and questioned, and pain was graded using a 4- point scale. After the cannulation, pain during the procedure was also assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) score. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical package version 17.

Results

A significant reduction in the incidence of pain was noted in distraction group 36% as compared to 44% in Group L, 46% in Group V, and 100% in the control group. The severity of pain as assessed by 4-point score was significantly lowest in Group D (0.26 ± 0.53) as compared to other three groups (Group V and L = 0.54 ± 0.16, Group C = 1.64 ± 0.6, P < 0.001). Mean VAS score was significantly low in Group D (0.6 ± 1.11) and Group L (0.54 ± 1.06) as compared to Group V (1.26 ± 1.76) and Group C (5.0 ± 1.21, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

We conclude that distraction can be considered as a diligent, reasonable, and simple method to attenuate procedural pain during peripheral venous cannulation.

The effect on pain of three different nonpharmacological methods in peripheral intravenous catheterisation in adults

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness in reducing pain during peripheral intravenous catheterisation of coughing, blowing into a spirometer and squeezing a stress ball.

BACKGROUND

Peripheral intravenous catheterisation is widely performed by nurses; it causes pain and discomfort to patients.

DESIGN

This was a single-blind randomized controlled study.

METHODS

The sample of the study consisted of 120 males who came to donate blood. Before the peripheral intravenous catheterisation, the individuals were divided by a simple randomisation method into four groups: a coughing group, a blowing into a spirometer group, a stress ball squeezing group and a control group. During the procedure, the pain levels felt by the individuals were assessed using the visual analog scale by a nurse who was blinded to the procedure.

FINDINGS

The mean pain of the individuals in the coughing group was found to be 19.5 mm (SD: 13.6), that of the spirometer group was 28.3 mm (SD: 20.2), that of the stress ball group was 32.1 mm (SD: 23.8) and that of the control group was 45.5 mm (SD: 19.5). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the mean pain scores of individuals in the control group and those of individuals in the coughing, spirometer and stress ball groups.

CONCLUSION

The techniques of squeezing a stress ball, blowing into a spirometer and in particular coughing, depending on the potential mechanism of the Valsalva manoeuvre and diverting attention, are effective techniques in reducing the pain of peripheral catheterisation procedures.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

It is important that nurses should be aware of pain and stress experienced by patients during invasive procedures. For this reason, nurses should have knowledge of proven nonpharmacological methods which can reduce pain to a minimum.

Comparative Evaluation of Volatile Anaesthetic Agents for Attenuation of Venous Cannulation Pain: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study

INTRODUCTION

Topical application of volatile anaesthetic agents has been found to attenuate the response to a mechanical stimulus; however, this effect of volatile anaesthetic on perception of pain during venous cannulation is not known.

AIM

To compare the efficacy of topically administered volatile anaesthetic agents for attenuating venous cannulation pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, randomized, placebo controlled and double blind study was conducted on 120 patients, aged 20-60years. They were of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I or II physical status, of either sex, planned for elective surgeries. These patients were randomized into 4 groups, of 30 each. Equipotent doses of halothane (1ml), isoflurane (1.5ml), sevoflurane (2.7ml) and sterile water (2.5ml; Control) were topically administered on the volar surface of forearm wrapped with cotton and aluminium foil; venous cannulation was performed with 18G intravenous cannula after 30 min. These patients were assessed for the incidence and severity of pain upon venous cannulation {visual analog scale (VAS), 0-100mm; 0 = no pain and 100 = worst imaginable pain}. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA, Chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The p<0.05 was considered as significant.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in the incidence of venous cannulation pain was observed in the halothane (79%) group as compared to control (100%; p<0.05), isoflurane (100%; p<0.05) and sevoflurane (100%; p<0.05) groups. The severity of venous cannulation pain as assessed by median (interquartile range, Q1-Q3). VAS scores was reduced in the halothane {10 (10-20); p<0.001}, isoflurane {20 (10-30); p<0.001} and sevoflurane {20 (20-30); p<0.001} groups as compared to the control group {40 (30-40)}; VAS score in the halothane group was significantly less as compared to isoflurane (p<0.05) and sevoflurane (p<0.05) groups.

CONCLUSION

Topical application of halothane is most effective in reducing incidence and severity of venous cannulation pain; however, topical application of isoflurane and sevoflurane decreases only the severity of venous cannulation pain.

[Effects of smoking on venous cannulation pain: a randomized prospective trial]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

It has been demonstrated that smoking increases pain perception; however the effect of smoking on perception of pain during venous cannulation is not known. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not smoking has an effect on pain perception due to peripheral venous cannulation.

METHODS

220 patients scheduled to have elective surgery were enrolled in the study and were divided into two groups (Group S and C, n=110 for each) according to their smoking habits. Numerical rating scale was introduced to the patients and then peripheral venous cannulation at the dorsum of the hand was made with a 20G intracath. Pain perception of the patients was scored by subsequent numerical rating scale questioning.

RESULTS

The demographic characteristics of the groups were identical. Numerical rating scale scores in Group S and C were 3.31±1.56 and 1.65±1.23, respectively (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pain perception due to peripheral venous cannulation is higher in smokers. Future studies on pain treatment should consider the smoking habits of patients.

Comparison of performances of five capillary blood collection tubes

INTRODUCTION

The research demonstrated the way to compare performances of five capillary blood collection tubes for capillary blood collections among patients with pediatrics utilizing the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document EP9-A2.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was distributed to evaluate the accessibility and reliability of capillary blood collection tubes from different sources. Visual examination, microscopic examination of blood smears, and instrumental analysis were performed to evaluate the blood sample quality in different tubes. The background test, comparison test, and reliability test were used to analyze the engineering quality and the performance of additives in the tubes, and to determine the reliability of the tubes in routine blood tests.

RESULTS

The tubes of brand A were found to be easy to access, with a shorter blood collection time and greater acceptability by users, and the quality of blood samples in those tubes was superior, with no coagulation and less blood cell disruption.

CONCLUSION

Commercially available capillary blood collection tubes were superior to 'in-house' tubes. In clinical practice, 'in-house' capillary blood collection tubes are not recommended. The guideline of 'method comparison and bias estimation using patient samples' from CLSI could also be used in comparing the performances of capillary blood collections.