A randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of vibratory stimulation on pain perception after intramuscular injection of benzathine penicillin

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Pain associated with injection is a root of great anxiety and distress and incite severe fear, which may lead to treatment noncompliance. The present study aimed to assess the effect of vibratory stimulation on pain perception after intramuscular (IM) injection of benzathine penicillin to patients having rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Methods: Using purposive sampling and cross-over design, 100 RHD patients were randomly assigned to either of the 2 groups. The first group received the first IM injection with vibration therapy, and the second injection, 21 days apart with usual standard practice, while the second group received injection in the reverse order. Subjective and objective pain assessment was done using numerical pain rating scale and biophysiological measures [blood pressure and pulse] respectively. Results: There was a significant decrease in subjective pain score (Mean ± SD) when vibratory stimulation (4.52 ± 1.37, 2.91 ± 1.18 and 1.93 ± 1.09) versus usual standard practice (7.12 ± 1.2, 5.51 ± 1.5, 4.20 ± 1.4) was used (P = 0.0000) at first, second and fifth minute respectively, while no significant change was seen on objective scores. Conclusion: Females, younger and highly educated experienced comparatively more pain. Vibratory stimulation decreased subjective pain perception of patients receiving IM injection of benzathine penicillin, while objective measures did not show significant results.