Out of sight, but not out of mind? Greater reported pain in patients who spontaneously look away during venepuncture

Vijayan, Roshan; Scott, Gregory; Brownlie, W.

doi:10.1002/ejp.526

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Protective factors are strengths of the child or adult that reduce the severity of problems or promote healthy and adaptive functioning. For example, in 1 study, adults who self-selected to look at (ie, expose themselves to) the needle going into their arm reported less pain compared with those who chose to look away (ie, avoided) 89 (but also see Goodenough et al 43 ). Having a behavioral predisposition to face a fear-inducing stimulus could be a protective factor against developing a high level of needle fear; in fact, a key component of evidence-based treatments for phobias is exposure.…”

Section: Needle Fear and Phobiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Far From “Just a Poke”

McMurtry

Riddell

Taddio

et al. 2015

The Clinical Journal of Pain

253

170

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Background:Vaccine injections are the most common painful needle procedure experienced throughout the lifespan. Many strategies are available to mitigate this pain; however, they are uncommonly utilized, leading to unnecessary pain and suffering. Some individuals develop a high level of fear and subsequent needle procedures are associated with significant distress.Objective:The present work is part of an update and expansion of a 2009 knowledge synthesis to include the management of vaccine-related pain across the lifespan and the treatment of individuals with high levels of needle fear. This article will provide a conceptual foundation for understanding: (a) painful procedures and their role in the development and maintenance of high levels of fear; (b) treatment strategies for preventing or reducing the experience of pain and the development of fear; and (c) interventions for mitigating high levels of fear once they are established.Results:First, the general definitions, lifespan development and functionality, needle procedure-related considerations, and assessment of the following constructs are provided: pain, fear, anxiety, phobia, distress, and vasovagal syncope. Second, the importance of unmitigated pain from needle procedures is highlighted from a developmental perspective. Third, the prevalence, course, etiology, and consequences of high levels of needle fear are described. Finally, the management of needle-related pain and fear are outlined to provide an introduction to the series of systematic reviews in this issue.Discussion:Through the body of work in this supplement, the authors aim to provide guidance in how to treat vaccination-related pain and its sequelae, including high levels of needle fear.

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Section: Needle Fear and Phobiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Far From “Just a Poke”

McMurtry

Riddell

Taddio

et al. 2015

The Clinical Journal of Pain

253

170

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In addition, 1 study was excluded as it presented data from the same sample as an included study, but did not examine any critical outcomes. 32 Altogether, 7 studies used a between-groups (parallel) design, and 1 study used a cross-over design. All studies provided data for 2 or more treatment arms.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simple Psychological Interventions for Reducing Pain From Common Needle Procedures in Adults

Boerner

Birnie

Chambers

et al. 2015

The Clinical Journal of Pain

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“…One simple intervention used by some clinicians to reduce fear and pain involves advising individuals to look away from the needle during injection. 10 To our knowledge, there are no randomized trials that have determined the effectiveness of this intervention with respect to reducing fear or pain during vaccination. In four nonclinical and one clinical observational study performed to date, conflicting results were obtained for self-reported pain after asking healthy adults to either look at versus look away during a painful stimulus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In four nonclinical and one clinical observational study performed to date, conflicting results were obtained for self-reported pain after asking healthy adults to either look at versus look away during a painful stimulus. 10 , 13 – 16 Higher pain scores during looking have been explained as possibly due to increasing autonomic nervous system activity in the individual. 13 , 14 Conversely, lower pain scores during looking have been explained as possibly preventing an individual’s imagination from conjuring up a more traumatic experience than reality.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To look or not to look during vaccination: A pilot randomized trial

Mithal

Simmons

Cornelissen

et al. 2018

Canadian Journal of Pain

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Objective: To examine the impact of looking at the needle versus looking away from the needle on pain and fear during vaccination in adults.Methods: This was a pilot randomized, 2-group parallel trial with adults receiving influenza vaccinations. Participants were stratified and randomly assigned to either look at versus away from the needle. Participants self-reported their pain and fear during vaccination. Results:Of the 184 subjects who agreed to participate, 160 were enrolled; 66% were female. A 3-way ANOVA (looking allocation assignment x looking preference x sex) revealed significant main effects suggesting that being asked to look increases fear (p=0.025) and those who prefer to look away are more fearful (p<0.001). Females reported higher pain and fear scores (p=0.017 and p=0.001, respectively). There were no significant interactions.Discussion: Advising individuals to look away from the needle reduces fear. A larger trial including a larger and diverse sample is recommended.ii

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Out of sight, but not out of mind? Greater reported pain in patients who spontaneously look away during venepuncture

Cited by 7 publications

References 16 publications

Far From “Just a Poke”

Far From “Just a Poke”

Simple Psychological Interventions for Reducing Pain From Common Needle Procedures in Adults

To look or not to look during vaccination: A pilot randomized trial

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