The effectiveness of a gate channel device on pain in the pediatric emergency department: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: Phlebotomy is an important source of self-reported pain in the pediatric emergency department. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Buzzy®, a vibrating cold device, to vapocoolant and control in reducing child-reported and parent-perceived pain during IV placement in the pediatric emergency department. Methods: Patients ages 6–18 years who required IV insertion in the emergency department were randomized to Buzzy, vapocoolant or control groups. The Faces Pain Scale – Revised was used to assess both patient pain and parent perceived pain. Results: 171 patients were randomized into the 3 groups: 56 in the Buzzy group, 57 in the vapocoolant group and 58 in the control group. Patient-reported FACES pain scores decreased significantly from pre- to post-intervention in the Buzzy group (5.41 ± 2.90 to 3.58 ± 2.87, p < 0.01) but not in the vapocoolant group (4.54 ± 2.65 to 3.84 ± 3.12, not significant), or the control group (5.03 ± 3.01 to 4.57 ± 3.43, not significant). Guardian-reported pain scores also showed significant reductions in the Buzzy group (3.46 ± 2.88 to 1.69 ± 2.28, p < 0.01) and vapocoolant group (3.06 ± 2.93 to 2.24 ± 2.56, p < 0.05), with no significant change in the control group (2.86 ± 2.85 to 2.79 ± 2.84). Conclusions: This study supports the utility of Buzzy® as a clinically effective resource in the management of phlebotomy related pain and demonstrates that it is as good or better than vapocoolant in the pediatric emergency department.