The Effectiveness of Lidocaine Spray in Reducing Pain During Intramuscular Injection: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background:Intramuscular (IM) injection is a routine nursing procedure often associated with pain and discomfort for patients. Minimizing injection-related pain is a critical aspect of improving patient care and satisfaction. Lidocaine spray, a topical anesthetic, has been widely used to reduce pain in various medical procedures. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of lidocaine spray in alleviating pain during IM injections.Methods:A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at Imam Al-Sadiq General Hospital in Babylon, Iraq, between December 28, 2023, and February 14, 2024. A total of 100 adult patients receiving intramuscular diclofenac sodium injections were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (lidocaine spray) or the control group (no lidocaine). Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The data were analyzed using SPSS software, with a significance level set at 5% (p < 0.05).Results:The mean pain score in the intervention group was significantly lower (1.27 1.340) compared to the control group (4.46 2.022) (p < 0.001). The results indicate that lidocaine spray effectively reduces pain intensity during IM injection. Furthermore, a simple linear regression analysis identified body mass index (BMI) as a significant predictor of pain levels among participants receiving lidocaine ( = 0.113; p = 0.028).Conclusion:The findings suggest that lidocaine spray is an effective method for reducing pain during IM injections in adult patients. Its rapid onset, ease of use, and affordability make it a viable option for routine clinical practice. Further research with larger sample sizes and diverse patient populations is recommended to validate these findings.