Effect of dual direct and alternating currents on pain induced by blood sampling and intramuscular injection processes.

Objective This study investigates the effects of cathodal, anodal, and intermittent electrical stimulation on pain intensity associated with arterial blood sampling, venous blood sampling, and intramuscular injection. Methods In a triple-blind clinical trial, 160 patients requiring arterial, venous...

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Publicado en:Pain Management Vol. 15; no. 11; pp. 807 - 819
Autores principales: Ezzati, Ebrahim, Mahooti, Roghaye, Mohammadi, Saeed, Kavyannejad, Rasoul
Formato: pictorial research tables/charts randomized controlled trial Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Nov2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Nov2025
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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        10.1080/17581869.2025.2544525
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        atl: Effect of dual direct and alternating currents on pain induced by blood sampling and intramuscular injection processes.
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          Ezzati, Ebrahim
          Mahooti, Roghaye
          Mohammadi, Saeed
          Kavyannejad, Rasoul
        affil: Department of Anesthesiology, School of Paramedical, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
      sug:
        subj:
          Blood Specimen Collection Methods
          Injections, Intramuscular
          Pain, Procedural Prevention and Control
          Electric Stimulation Methods
          Pain Measurement
          Treatment Outcomes
          Human
          Randomized Controlled Trials
          Random Assignment
          Triple-Blind Studies
          Ointments
          Visual Analog Scaling
          Heart Rate Evaluation
          Inpatients
          Academic Medical Centers
          Iran
          EMLA Cream Administration and Dosage
          Ceftriaxone Administration and Dosage
          One-Way Analysis of Variance
          Two-Way Analysis of Variance
          Post Hoc Analysis
          Repeated Measures
          Chi Square Test
          Descriptive Statistics
          Stress, Physiological Prevention and Control
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Funding Source
          Anesthetics, Local Administration and Dosage
          Male
          Female
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Objective This study investigates the effects of cathodal, anodal, and intermittent electrical stimulation on pain intensity associated with arterial blood sampling, venous blood sampling, and intramuscular injection. Methods In a triple-blind clinical trial, 160 patients requiring arterial, venous blood sampling, and intramuscular injection were randomly divided into four groups. Three intervention groups received 5 mA anodal, cathodal direct, or alternating currents during the procedure, while the control group received only a topical eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA). Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS) immediately after the procedure, while procedure duration, number of attempts, and heart rate changes were recorded as secondary outcome. Results All forms of electrical stimulation significantly reduced procedural pain compared to EMLA. Cathodal direct current demonstrated the greatest analgesic effect, with mean VAS score reductions of 2–3 points across all procedures. The time required for arterial blood sampling in the cathodal group was significantly less than with EMLA, while no difference was observed in the procedure time and frequency of attempts in other processes. Furthermore, electrical stimulation groups, particularly the cathodal mode, exhibited lower post-procedure heart rates, suggesting attenuated physiological stress responses. Conclusion We found that applying electric currents during the procedure reduces the pain of blood sampling or injections. The greatest analgesia was observed with cathodal direct current stimulation compared to other groups. Clinical trial registration Date of registration: 27 January 2024. Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: IRCT20240123060780N1. URL: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/75119. Plain Language Summary Many patients need blood tests or injections as part of their treatment. These procedures often cause pain and stress because the needle goes through the skin and can damage tissue. Usually, doctors use numbing creams to help reduce this pain. In this study, we tested a new way to reduce pain. At the same time as the needle was inserted, we applied a small, safe electrical current to the area. We tested three different types of electrical currents. Our results showed that using electrical stimulation helped patients feel less pain during these procedures compared to regular numbing creams. In particular, a type of current called cathodal direct current was most effective at reducing pain. This technique could make blood tests and injections more comfortable and less painful for patients.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        randomized controlled trial
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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