title: Efficacy of EMLA cream to reduce fear and pain associated with interferon beta-1a injection in patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Fear of pain from injections may affect adherence to needed drug therapy. A single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of EMLA cream in reducing the fear and pain associated with intramuscular (IM) injection during administration of interferon beta-1a to patients with multiple sclerosis. Patients rated fear of injection on a visual analog scale before the injection and rated injection pain following the injection. With the application of EMLA cream, the mean pain-of-injection score was found to be significantly lower than the mean fear-of-injection score. The 18 patients who completed the study experienced a statistically significant decrease in both scores. This study suggests that the use of EMLA cream may reduce the pain and fear associated with IM injections.
authors.affiliation: Stony Brook University School of Nursing, Stony Brook, NY, USA. Marijean.buhse@stonybrook.edu
authors.forename: Marijean
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buhse
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D009824:Ointments; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D009824:Ointments; D011318:Prilocaine; D016899:Interferon-beta; D008012:Lidocaine; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a