Introduction. Pain during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation remains a major concern among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. This study was done to assess the effectiveness of cryotherapy in reducing patient perceived pain during AVF cannulation. Methods. This randomised crossover study was carried out on 111 hemodialysis patients. During the first four sessions, the patients received cryotherapy intervention and during next four sessions, the patients received standard care without cryotherapy. Pain was assessed using the Wong-baker faces pain rating scale. Results. There was a significant difference between pain scale with intervention and without intervention, with p value of 0.001. Conclusions. In hemodialysis patients, pain was reduced during AVF cannulation when cryotherapy was used.
Aboushika et al. (Fri,) studied this question.