Effects of using an adhesive remover spray and squeezing a stress ball on pain and fear of pain during peripheral intravenous cannula removal in children aged 6–9 years: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the effects of using an alcohol-free, silicone-based adhesive remover spray and squeezing a stress ball on pain and fear of pain during the removal of peripheral intravenous cannulas and fixation materials (acrylate-based hypoallergenic adhesives) in children aged 6–9 years.

Design and methods

This trial was structured as a randomized controlled parallel-group experimental study at a single-center. This study was conducted with 90 children aged 6–9 years (routine care group = RCG; n = 30, adhesive remover spray group = ARSG; n = 30, ball squeezing + adhesive remover spray group = BS + ARGS; n = 30) admitted to the pediatrics service of a university hospital between May and July 2024. The Wong-Bakers FACES® Pain Rating Scale and the Children's Fear Scale were used as data collection tools. The children's pain and fear of pain were assessed 2 min before, during and 2 min after the procedure.

Results

The mean age of the children (N = 90) was 8.28 ± 1.70 years. The pain scores of the RCG were higher than those of the BS + ARSG and ARSG. The fear of pain scores of the BS + ARSG were lower than for RCG.

Conclusions

Using an alcohol-free, silicone-based adhesive remover spray with ball squeeze to remove peripheral intravenous cannula and fixation material was found to be effective in shortening procedure time and reducing pain and fear of pain in children.

Practice implications

Using an alcohol-free, silicone-based adhesive remover spray during peripheral intravenous cannula removal in children reduces pain and fear of pain in children and increases their comfort. It reduced the nurses' workload by reducing the time spent on the procedure.