Efficacy of Buzzy ® on pain and anxiety during catheterization in children.

BACKGROUND: The use of a peripheral intravenous cannula is a common clinical practice, and it is known to be a major source of pain and anxiety in children. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the use of the Buzzy® on pain and anxiety in children during peripheral cannula application.

METHODS: The research sample consisted of 60 children between the ages of 8 and 16. For children in the experimental group, external cold and vibration were applied by means of the Buzzy® device. Before and during the peripheral intravenous cannula procedure, the levels of fear and anxiety relating to the procedure of the child patients in both the experimental and control groups were assessed by the children themselves and by an independent observer. Immediately after the vein entry procedure had been carried out, the level of pain felt by the children was determined.

RESULTS: The results of the statistical analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the anxiety levels of the groups before and after the procedure (P > 0.05). The results of the statistical analysis also showed no statistically significant difference between the postprocedural mean pain scores of the children as reported by the children themselves and by the observer (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, unlike most studies in the literature, the conclusion was reached that the use of the Buzzy® to reduce pain and anxiety during the application of a peripheral intravenous cannula in children was not effective.