Effectiveness of helfer skin tap technique on pain experience among the patients receiving intramuscular injection

Introduction: Every human being is born with the responsibility to protect one's own health and that of others. Intramuscular Injection pain is associated with the penetration of the skin by the needle and to the mechanical and chemical effects of the drug during and after its injection. Helfer skin tap technique is an accepted fact that pain reduces in giving injection into a relaxed muscle. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Helfer skin tap technique on pain experience among the patients receiving intramuscular injection. Research Methodology: A quasi experimental study with post test only design. Samples were selected using Non probability purposive sampling technique as per the inclusion criteria at Sri Sugam Hospital, Sholinganallur, Chennai and 30 samples were assigned to experimental and 30 to control group. The data was collected using standardized MCCAFFERY 0–10 Numerical pain scale by the investigator. Results: The mean and SD was 3.03 ± 1.60 in experimental group, where as mean and SD was 5.57 ± 2.33 in control group. The calculated ‘t’ value of 4.90 which shows statistically significant difference at p<0.001 level, which clearly demonstrated that there was significant reduction in pain experience after using Helfer skin tap technique among experimental group. Conclusion: Thereby the investigator concludes that the Helfer skin tap technique could be considered as an effective method in minimizing the pain among patients receiving intramuscular injection.