title: A systematic review of vapocoolants for reducing pain from venipuncture and venous cannulation in children and adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies of vapocoolants for pain reduction from venipuncture have demonstrated conflicting results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to systematically review the literature regarding the analgesic effectiveness of vapocoolants in children and adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and Cochrane Central Register of Trials using key words: vapocoolant, pain, venipuncture, and cannulation. We included randomized or quasi-randomized studies comparing vapocoolants to placebo or no treatment. Two authors reviewed titles and abstracts and extracted data. Quality was assessed by consensus using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary outcome was self-reported pain using a 100-mm visual analog scale, a 0- to 10-point numerical scale, or observational scale for preverbal children. Data were pooled using a random effects model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve studies including 1266 patients (509 children, 757 adults) were identified. No significant pain reduction was found in children receiving vapocoolants vs. placebo or no treatment (mean difference -10 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI] -26 to 6). In adults, less pain was reported when vapocoolants were compared with no treatment: -10 mm on a 100-mm scale (95% CI -17 to -4); but not when compared to placebo (-12 mm; 95% CI -26 to 2). Pain from application of vapocoolants was greater than placebo (8 mm; 95% CI 4 to 2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vapocoolants were ineffective in children and adults when compared to placebo, and effective in adults only when compared to no treatment. The magnitude of effect was low and was offset by increased pain from application. They cannot be recommended for routine use in children or adults.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Mary-Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.affiliation: Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smart
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Vibhuti
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taddio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000335:Aerosol Propellants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated
keywords: analgesia; intravenous cannulation; meta-analysis; pain; pediatrics; procedural pain; systematic review; vapocoolant; venipuncture