Effect of vibration on pain during propofol injections
The intravenous injection of propofol (a strong anesthetic) is often accompanied by pain. Since in dentistry, vibration is already used to reduce local pain associated with injections, American scientists decided to investigate the effectiveness of vibration analgesia for pain also during ambulatory injections of propofol.
- Due to the use of vibrations, during the injection of propofol, a significantly lower intensity of pain was observed, level 1(1-2), than during the injection of propofol without vibrations – pain level 2(2-4).
Prepared on the basis of:
The Effect of Vibration on Pain During Intravenous Injection of Propofol: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Hwang LK, Nash DW, Yedlin A et Greige N. Ann Plast Surg. 2021 Jul 1;87(1s Suppl 1):S36-S39.
Study population
The cases of 100 patients undergoing elective outpatient surgery under general anesthesia were analyzed.
Test procedure
The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups:
- the control group (n = 50) – administration of propofol without vibrations
- or the study group (n = 50) – administration of propofol with vibration analgesia.
Pain was assessed on a 4-point scale. The higher the score, the greater the pain level.
Use of vibration in the study
A device generating local vibrations was used – Buzzy®.
Results
The pain level in the control group (without vibration) was significantly greater than after the vibration [median(IQR) = 2(2-4) or 1(1-2), respectively; p <0.01].
Comment
Vibration analgesia is an effective and safe method of reducing pain during intravenous injection of propofol.
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