Comparison of the Effect of Pressure Massage of Hegu Point with Kunlun‑Taixi Points on Pain of Intramuscular Injection in Premature Newborns: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Performing painful procedures in premature newborns are prevalent. This study compared the effect of the pressure massage of Hegu point with Kunlun‑Taixi points on the pain of intramuscular injection in premature newborns. Materials and Methods: This triple‑blind, parallel, clinical trial was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Shahid Rahimi Hospital, Khorramabad, Iran. Participants included 100 premature newborns randomly assigned to four groups (n = 25). The intervention groups received a counterclockwise pressure massage of the Hegu or Kunlun‑Taixi points for two minutes. The placebo group received a pressure massage of the tip of the nose. The control group received routine care. The Astrid Lindgren and Lund Children’s Hospital Pain Scale was used to observe pain behaviors before, during, and after intramuscular injection of vitamin K. One‑way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), repeated measures ANOVA, and Chi‑square tests were used for data analysis. Results: The mean (Standard Deviation) of pain scores during injection in the Hegu massage, Kunlun‑Taixi massage, control, and placebo groups were 5.92 (1.99), 5.94 (1.75), 6.66 (1.45), and 6.56 (1.61), respectively. Despite the lower pain scores of the intervention groups compared to the control and placebo groups, their difference was not statistically significant (F = 1.32; p = 0.27). Conclusions: Using pressure massage before intramuscular injection of vitamin K has no significant effect on intramuscular injection pain in premature newborns. It is suggested that future studies of massage be performed for a more extended period, along with other pain relief methods for premature newborns.