Effects of Ice Massage on Pain, Ecchymosis, Hematoma, and Patient Satisfaction When Applied Prior to Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation: A Crossover Trial.

In 30 seconds

This crossover trial studied the effects of precannulation ice massage on pain, ecchymosis, hematoma, and patient satisfaction in 40 hemodialysis patients. Results showed that ice massage significantly reduced pain (2.90 vs. 6.12 on a 10-point scale), ecchymosis (2.02 vs. 4.95 mm²), and hematoma (1.57 vs. 2.85 cm), while increasing patient satisfaction (8.12 vs. 5.02).

Key findings

• Ice massage reduced pain during cannulation (2.90 ± 1.08 vs. 6.12 ± 1.34; p < 0.001).
• Ecchymosis was significantly lower with ice massage (2.02 ± 0.80 mm² vs. 4.95 ± 1.41 mm²; p < 0.001).
• Hematoma size was reduced with ice massage (1.57 ± 1.05 cm vs. 2.85 ± 0.83 cm; p < 0.001).
• Patient satisfaction was higher with ice massage (8.12 ± 0.72 vs. 5.02 ± 1.07; p < 0.001).

Why it matters

The findings suggest that incorporating ice massage prior to AV fistula cannulation can significantly improve patient comfort and satisfaction while reducing local complications, which is crucial for enhancing the overall hemodialysis experience.