The Effect of Cold Spray on Reducing Pain during Needle Electromyography

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of cold spray (Ethyl chloride) on reducing pain during needle electromyography (EMG). METHOD: Seventy-six adults, who had experienced needle electromyographic examination, were studied. They were randomly assigned to either experimental or control group. In experimental group, cold spray was applied to needling point of examining muscles before each needle examination. In control group, needle examination was performed without pre-treatment. The intensity of pain was assessed by the Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Verbal rating scale (VRS). Denial to re-examination was evaluated after EMG study. RESULTS: The VAS, VRS and denial to re-examination were significantly lower in experimental group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of cold spray before needle examination decreased the intensity of pain and denial to re-examination.