Efficacy of Helfer Skin Tapping Technique on Pain Intensity as perceived by the patients receiving Intramuscular Injection

Abstract

Intramuscular injection is common procedure that nurses frequently carry out which causes pain and distress to the patient, Pain is a feeling triggered in the nervous system. Pain may be sharp or dull. Aim of the study:  To evaluate the Efficacy of Helfer Skin Tap Technique on reducing Pain intensity Associated with Intramuscular Injection at the study setting. Methods: A quasi experimental research design was conducted at medical and surgical units at Main Mansoura University Hospital. The data were collected from purposive sample 100 patients of both sexes who correspond to inclusion criteria. Each patient was administered repeated intramuscular injections at the gluteal site. Then pain level with administration of intramuscular injection by traditional technique was compared with pain level with Helfer Skin Tapping Technique. The tools developed and used for data collection were socio-demographic characteristics and assessment of pain level with Universal Pain Assessment Tool. Results: The pain perception of patients in terms of pain level of traditional technique was found to be significantly higher than pain level of Helfer skin tapping Technique. Conclusion: Skin tapping technique was effective in reducing pain level of patients. Thus, skin tapping technique can be used as an intervention to reduce pain associated with administration of intramuscular injection.