The effect of acupressure (GB30) on intramuscular injection pain and satisfaction: Single–blind, randomised controlled study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupressure on intramuscular injection pain, satisfaction and vital signs. BACKGROUND: Pain at the injection site may lead to discomfort and may affect patients' compliance to treatment. DESIGN: This was a prospective, single-blind, crossover study. The study complied with the guidelines of Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Checklist. METHODS: Seventy-two healthy volunteer university students received an intramuscular injection of 2 ml sterile saline (%0.9 NaCl) to the ventrogluteal site with and without acupressure on separate days in a random order following a standard procedure by the same investigator. Pain and satisfaction were assessed immediately after the injection with the visual analog scale (VAS) by a researcher blinded to the study. RESULTS: A total of 134 injections were analysed. The result of the study reveals that acupressure alleviates the severity of pain and increases the patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this research support that use of acupressure, which is easy and cost-effective, could reduce injection pain when performed on a specific point. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Safe and accurate administration of medications is one of the crucial responsibilities of nurses. Acupressure is a nonpharmacologic approach, which can be effective in decreasing the injection pain and increasing patient satisfaction.