The Effect of Cold Spray and Ice Applied During Intravenous Access on Pain and Fear i in Pediatric Emergency Unit

This study aimed to determine the effect of cold spray and ice applied during venipuncture procedures on pain and fear in 67 children ages 7-15 admitted to the pediatric emergency unit.

Materials and Methods Setting This randomized, controlled experimental study was conducted in the Pediatric Emergency Clinic of Istanbul Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital between November 2021 7 and April 2022. The Pediatric Emergency Clinic consists of 10 beds. Patients with complaints such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures comprise the majority of those admitted to the clinic. In the Pediatric Emergency Clinic, intravenous interventions were performed in the injection room.

Sample The study's population comprised children ages 7-15 treated in the Pediatric Emergency Department of Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital. The sample consisted of children undergoing intravenous access in line with the inclusion criteria. According to the power analysis for the sample size in line with the literatüre the power of the sample was calculated with the G*Power 3.1 program. With a Type I error of 0.05 and a test power of 0.80 (α= 0.05, 1-β= 0.80), the minimum sample size was calculated as children (30 children in 83 each group). The study was completed with 96 children, including 32 children in the study and control groups, taking into account the losses that might occur from the sample for any reason during the study period.

Allocation In the study, 96 children in the sample will randomly assigned to the control (n=32), ice (n=32), and spray groups (n=32). Random assignment will ensured by using a computer program to determine the group of children (https://www.randomlists.com/team-generator).

Data Collection Before starting the study, the families of the children were informed of the purpose, plan, duration, and how the data would be used. Written consent was obtained in light of the principle of willingness and voluntariness through the Voluntary Information and Consent Form. Pediatric patients included in the study were divided into three groups: cold spray, ice, and control. Environmental conditions were organized the same way in all three groups, and at least one parent was ensured to stay with each child. The study was conducted with a nurse performing intravenous intervention and a nurse researcher.

IV Catheter placement IV placement was performed using 24-gauge catheters appropriate in size for the age of the children and took an average of 3 minutes. The observer nurse evaluated the children in all groups before and after the procedure by filling out the data collection form and measuring the child's pain and fear assessment scales. The pain and fear scales were also evaluated by the child and parent. In all groups, IV insertion was performed by the same nurse following the procedure steps.

• First study group: Before performing intravenous intervention, cold spray was applied for 5 seconds at a distance of 15 cm to an area of approximately 5 cm2 at the site of the procedure. After tourniquet fixation and subsequent skin disinfection for 60 seconds, the nurse researcher performed intravenous administration.
• Second study group: Before the intravenous intervention, refrigerated gel ice was applied for 5 minutes at 2 cm above the area to be treated. After that, the nurse removed the gel ice from the procedure area, a tourniquet was applied, and skin disinfection was performed for 60 seconds. The nurse researcher performed intravenous administration.
• Control group: No pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic application was performed. The researcher performed intravenous access after skin disinfection by the nurse.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION Written permission were obtained from the ethics committee of Gaizosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital to collect the data before the study (No: 347, Date: 20.10.2021). The rules of the Declaration of Helsinki were followed throughout the study. Verbal and written informed consent was obtained from the families of pediatric patients who agreed to participate in the study. After patients entered the pediatric emergency clinic in accordance with the sample selection criteria, the parents were explained the purpose of the research, that their personal information would remain confidential, and that their privacy would be respected.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Statistical analyses were performed using R vers. 2.15.3 program Minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation, median, first quartile, third quartile, frequency, and percentage were used to report the study data. The Shapiro-Wilk test and graphical analysis were used to evaluate the compliance of quantitative data with normal distribution. A dependent groups t-test was used to compare the values before and after the intervention. An independent groups t-test was used to evaluate normally distributed variables between two groups. One-way analysis of variance was used in the evaluations of variables with normal distribution between more than two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test evaluated variables that did not show normal distribution between the two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used in the evaluations of variables that did not show normal distribution between more than two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between quantitative variables. The Pearson chi-square test, Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test, and Fisher's exact test were used to compare qualitative variables. Statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05.