The effects of huko point massage with ice on intensity of pain due of Phlebotomy in children with thalassemia in Kerman Samen Alhojaj Medical Center, Iran

Background and Objective: Venous catheter is one of the most painful medical procedures and frequently practiced in the children's thalassemia ward. Children with thalassemia experience moderate to severe pain during phlebotomy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of huko point massage with ice on intensity of pain due of Phlebotomy In children with thalassemia. The relationship between anxiety and pain in children was also studied. Materials and Method: A randomized, clinical trial was conducted on 86 children of 6-12 years of age undergoing transfusion and referred to the thalassemia ward of Kerman Samen Alhojaj Medical Center in 2014. The children were selected using convenience sampling and assigned to the interventional and control groups using randomized block design. In the interventional group, 5 minutes before performing phlebotomy, huko point massage with ice was performed. In the control group, no intervention was performed. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Scale (FLACC scale). Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation and Mann-Whitney test by SPSS software version 22. Results: The mean pain score in the interventional group was 0.65 ± 0.75 and in the control group was 3.81 ± 1.84. A significant difference was observed between the pain severity of the two groups (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Huko point massage with ice can reduce intensity of pain due of phlebotomy in children with thalassemia. Accordingly, the application of huko point massage with ice is recommended as a non-pharmacological method of pain relief during phlebotomy in children with thalassemia.