A non-pharmacological approach to pain management in pediatrics: cold pack therapy during intravenous cannulation

Aims This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cold pack therapy in reducing pain during intravenous cannulation in pediatric patients, focusing on whether this non-pharmacological intervention offers significant advantages over standard care.Patients & methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted using a post-eligibility block randomization method at a regional hospital in Bandung, Indonesia, involving 98 pediatric patients aged 3–6 years. Participants were purposively sampled and then randomly assigned into intervention (n = 49) and control (n = 49) groups using block randomization. The intervention group received cold pack therapy 2 minutes before intravenous cannulation, while the control group received standard care. Pain levels were assessed using the FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) Pain Scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test.Results Pain levels in the intervention group (3.31 ± 1.63) were significantly lower than in the control group (4.33 ± 1.56), with a p-value of 0.002. Mild pain was reported in 46.9% of the intervention group, compared to moderate pain in 57.1% of the control group.Conclusions Cold pack therapy is an effective and simple method for reducing pain during intravenous cannulation in pediatric patients. Its integration into routine care could enhance patient comfort and minimize procedural distress.