Comparison of the Effects of Hegu Point Ice Massage and 2% Lidocaine Gel on Arteriovenous Fistula Puncture-Related Pain in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: There is a paucity of information on the effects of Hegu point ice massage and 2% lidocaine gel on fistula puncture-related pain in hemodialysis patients. The aim of the present research was compare the two methods in terms of their effectiveness. Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial. Seventy hemodialysis patients were divided into two groups. The fistula puncture-related pain in the two groups was measured in the first session of hemodialysis without any intervention. During a hemodialysis session, 2% lidocaine gel was applied on the patient’s arteriovenous fistula site in one group. Also, for the other group, an ice cube was used to massage on the Hegu point in the hand without fistula in the other hemodialysis session. The pain score was recorded, using the Visual Analogue Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS ver.13. Results: No significant differences were observed in the mean pain scores of the two groups in the preintervention phase. The comparison of the pain score before and after interventions of the lidocaine gel and ice massage groups was found to bear significant differences. Moreover, the comparison of the mean changes of the pain score before and after the intervention of the Hegu point ice massage groups revealed a further reduction for Hegu point than of lidocaine gel groups. Conclusion: Lidocaine gel and Hegu point ice massage affect the intensity of fistula puncture related pain in hemodialysis patients. Given the higher effectiveness of Hegu point ice massage, this method is recommended to be used for fast and safe pain reduction in hemodialysis patients.