title: Fast versus slow bandaid removal: a randomised trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether slow or fast bandaid removal is less painful.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomised, crossover trial was carried out at James Cook University, Townsville. Participants were healthy volunteers from Years 2 and 3 of the James Cook University medical school program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medium-sized bandaids were applied bilaterally in three standard body locations and removed using slow and fast techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pain scores were assessed using an 11-point verbal numeric pain scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  65 participants were included in the study. The overall mean pain score for fast bandaid removal was 0.92 and for slow bandaid removal was 1.58. This represents a highly significant difference of 0.66 (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In young healthy volunteers, fast bandaid removal caused less pain than slow bandaid removal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Townsville Hospital, Townsville, QLD, Australia. jeremy_furyk@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: Jeremy S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Furyk
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: O'Kane
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.forename: Colin J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kault
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D055815:Young Adult