The Effect of Foot Massage on Pain of Preschoolers Undergoing Venipuncture: A Clinical Trial

Background: Foot massage is a distraction technique that can be used for directing children's attention away from the painful stimuli during invasive procedures. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of foot massage on pain intensity among hospitalized preschoolers undergoing venipuncture. Method: Seventy preschoolers were selected using convenience sampling in the present clinical trial, at theinternal pediatric ward of Besat Hospital, Hamadan, Iran. They were randomly allocated into the experimental (n=35) and control groups (n=35). The experimental group was received a foot massage 5 minutes before venipuncture. The pain intensity was measured using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability scale immediately and two minutes after catheter insertion. Heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation were measured using a pulse oximeter five minutes before, immediately, and two minutes after catheter insertion as pain physiological indicators. Results: The mean±SD of pain intensity in the experimental group and in the control group immediately and two minutes after intravenous catheter insertion were 2.71±1.36 and 1.11±0.86, and 7.54±1.33 and 4.20±1.52, respectively. The mean of pain intensity immediately and two minutes after venipuncture revealed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p <0.001). The mean of heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation between the two groups were significantly different only immediately after venipuncture (p <0.001). Implications for Practice: This finding is clinically important in nursing care for reducing pain and anxiety as well as decreasing drug-related complications and adverse effects. Instructing and using this method are suggested to medical personnel, especially nurses.