A comparison of the effect on pain management of two non-pharmacological methods used during administration of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2): A randomized controlled study

Aims

This study was conducted with the aim of examining the effect on pain intensity of the vibration technique applied at the injection site and squeezing a stress ball during the administration of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled single-blind experimental study. The study included 120 adults who were randomly selected between July and November 2022. One experimental group (n = 40) received local vibration by means of a Buzzy® device, and the other (n = 40) were given a stress ball to squeeze. Routine vaccination procedure was performed with the control group (n = 40). The level of pain felt during the vaccination procedure was assessed on a visual analog scale.

Results

The pain score of individuals during the vaccination procedure was found to be significantly lower in the vibration group than in the control group (P = .005) and the stress ball group (P = .036), but there was no significant difference between the control and stress ball groups (P = .851). Also, it was found that the variables of gender, age and body mass index did not affect the average pain intensity of individuals during the vaccination procedure.

Conclusions

It was found that local vibration applied by means of the Buzzy® device was effective in reducing the levels of pain relating to administration of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination. Nurses should think of the application of vibration as a choice in the management of pain relating to Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination.