Use of vibratory and cold devices as analgesia in pediatric venipuncture: systematic review.

Abstract

Introduction: Acute pain induced by invasive procedures such as venipuncture is a preventable cause of suffering in the pediatric population. Inadequate pain management can lead to anticipatory anxiety, adverse physiological responses, and rejection of future medical procedures. Devices that combine vibration and cold have been proposed as effective non-pharmacological analgesic interventions to reduce pain and anxiety during venipuncture in pediatric patients. Methods: A systematicreview with a descriptive approach was conducted, gathering information from PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO databases over the past seven years, using the following keywords: “analgesia,” “pain,” “cold,” “fear,” “teraphy”, “pediatrics,” “venipuncture,” “vibration.” Article selection was performed using the RAYYAN application, involving debate and selection, with inclusion and exclusion criteria applied by three independent researchers. The PRISMA flowchart was used to illustrate article selection and final inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I criteria and analyzed with the “robvis” tool. Results: Six articles were obtained from the three indexed databases and gray literature. Conclusions: The evidence obtained supports the systematic use of vibration and cold devices as non-pharmacological analgesic strategies in pediatric venipuncture, promoting more humanized, effective, and safe clinical experiences. Their implementation could positively transform clinical practice, improving care quality and acceptance of future medical interventions in pediatric patients.