Effectiveness of Ice Pack Application on Pain During Intravenous Insertion Procedures in Preschool-Aged Children

Authors

  • Fini Heryani Universitas Jendral Soedirman
  • Haryatiningsih Purwandi Universitas Jendral Soedirman

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v8i3.1136

Keywords:

IV cannulation, children, ice pack, pain, procedure

Abstract

Introduction: Intravenous (IV) cannulation in preschool-aged children often causes pain, which can affect their comfort and overall experience in hospital. Various pain reduction techniques, such as deep-breathing and distraction, are commonly used but are not always effective in directly minimising pain. One non-pharmacological method to reduce pain is the application of ice packs or cold compresses. Aim: This article review aims to evaluate the effect of ice pack application on pain in preschool-aged children undergoing IV cannulation. Methods: This literature review utilised five databases: Google Scholaa

Intravenous (IV) cannulation in preschool-aged children often causes pain, which can affect their comfort and overall experience in hospital. Various pain reduction techniques, such as deep-breathing and distraction, are commonly used but are not always effective in directly minimising pain. One non-pharmacological method to reduce pain is the application of ice packs or cold compresses.  This article review aims to evaluate the effect of ice pack application on pain in preschool-aged children undergoing IV cannulation. This literature review utilised five databases: Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, PubMed, and Portal Garuda. The keywords used included “use of ice pack in preschool children”, “effectiveness of ice compress”, and “IV cannulation”. Of the 138 articles published between 2015 and 2025 prospective articles identified, only 13 met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the articles was assessed using the 2020 CASP instrument. Based on data extraction, the authors found that the use of ice packs is effective as a non-invasive intervention and can reduce pain during IV insertion. Conclusion: Paediatric nurses are advised to consider the use of ice packs as part of atraumatic care in order to minimise procedural pain in children.

r, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, PubMed, and Portal Garuda. The keywords used included “use of ice pack in preschool children”, “effectiveness of ice compress”, and “IV cannulation”. Of the 138 prospective articles identified, only 13 met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the articles was assessed using the 2020 CASP instrument. Results: Based on data extraction, the authors found that the use of ice packs is effective as a non-invasive intervention and can reduce pain during IV insertion. Conclusion: Paediatric nurses are advised to consider the use of ice packs as part of atraumatic care in order to minimise procedural pain in children.

References

Ahmad, S., Goel, P., Meher, R., & Wadhwa, V. (2022). An Unusual Case of Tongue Entrapment in a Plastic Water Bottle. 7–10. https://doi.org/10.4103/ipcares.ipcares

Akriansyah, M., & Surahmat, R. (2021). The effect of cool pack (cold compress) on the pain during infusation in children in hospital. Jurnal Kesehatan Medika Saintika, 178–183.

Alalo, F. M. A., Ahmad, A. E. S., & Sayed, H. M. N. El. (2018). Pain Intensity after an Ice Pack Application Prior to Venipuncture among School-age Children: An experimental Study. Journal of Education and Practice, May.

Bourdier, S., Khelif, N., Velasquez, M., Usclade, A., Rochette, E., Pereira, B., Favard, B., Merlin, E., Labbé, A., Sarret, C., & Michaud, E. (2021). Cold Vibration (Buzzy) Versus Anesthetic Patch (EMLA) for Pain Prevention During Cannulation in Children: A Randomized Trial. Pediatric Emergency Care, 37(2). https://journals.lww.com/pec-online/fulltext/2021/02000/cold_vibration__buzzy__versus_anesthetic_patch.7.aspx

Cozzi, G., Crevatin, F., Dri, V., Bertossa, G., Rizzitelli, P., Matassi, D., Minute, M., Ronfani, L., & Barbi, E. (2021). Distraction Using Buzzy or Handheld Computers During Venipuncture. Pediatric Emergency Care, 37(9). https://journals.lww.com/pec-online/fulltext/2021/09000/distraction_using_buzzy_or_handheld_computers.14.aspx

Dais, E. G., Lusty, J., Karwati, E., & Purwati, N. H. (2025). The effective of cold compress in reducing pain before insertion of IV or blood draw in school-age children. Riset Informasi Kesehatan, 14(1), 58–66. https://doi.org/10.30644/rik.v14i1.945

Enawati, S., Rizky, L., Ramadhina, N., Istiqomah, N., & Enikmawati, A. (2022). Pengaruh Pemberian Kompres Dingin Terhadap Penurunan Skala Nyeri Pemasangan Infus Pada Anak Usia Sekolah. 1(1).

Friedrichsdorf, S. J., & García, W. C. G. (2020). Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment of Pain in Children with Serious Illness BT - Children’s Palliative Care: An International Case-Based Manual (J. Downing (ed.); pp. 65–94). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27375-0_6

Haghani, H., & Reza, A. (2021). Cold Therapy and Respiratory Relaxation Exercise on Pain and Anxiety Related to Chest Tube Removal : A Clinical Trial. 54–59. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR

Latifah, E., Nurjannah, M., Milkhatun, & Widyastuti, D. (2025). Analysis of clinical nursing practice with an innovative cold compress (cool pack) intervention to reduce pain levels during IV insertion in dengue patients in the Emergency Department of Aji Muhammad Parikesit Regional Hospital, Tenggarong. Bunda Edu-Midwifery Journal (BEMJ), 8, 441–446.

Mansour, F., Alalo, A., El, A., & Ahmad, S. (2016). Pain Intensity after an Ice Pack Application Prior to Venipuncture among School-age Children : An experimental Study. 7(36), 16–25.

Mao, J. J., Xue, C. C., & Zhang, H. (2020). Clinical Evidence for Association of Acupuncture and Acupressure With Improved Cancer Pain A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 6(2), 271–278. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.5233

Neshat, H., Aslani, K., Jamshidi, M., Aslanabadi, S., & Ghorbani, F. (2020). Comparison of the Effect of Massage and EMLA Cream on Children’s Physiological Indices During Venipuncture: A Factorial Clinical Trial. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 35(6), 619–624. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2020.04.005

Nuraeni, A., & Saptawati, T. (2020). Differences in the effectiveness of ice gel compresses and distraction therapy using ice cubes on the pain scale of children undergoing IV infusion at Ungaran Regional Hospital. Ungaran Regional Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia.

Oommen, S., & Shetty, A. P. (2022). Effectiveness of local cold application on pain and behavioral distress during invasive intravenous procedures - A pilot study. 4(1), 1–4.

Perumal, S., Arumugam, S., Vasanthakumari, A., Sankar, D., & Mahalakshmi, S. (2025). Comparison of Effectiveness of Precooling the Site of Injection Using Topical Ice and Topical Anesthetic Gel in Children Between 7- 12 Years- A Split Mouth Comparitive Study. 14(7), 309–317.

Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2013). Fundamentals of nursing (8th ed.). Elsevier.

Pushpasanthy, M., Ephraim, R., Ayilliath, A., & Dhanya, K. B. (2024). Effectiveness of Aculief acupressure device on pain perception during local anesthesia in children : A double ‑ blinded study. 309–315. https://doi.org/10.4103/jisppd.jisppd

Putri, N., & Roslita, R. (2024). Analysis of nursing care using cold compresses (cool pack) for pain during IV insertion in preschool children with leukemia. Jurnal Penelitian Perawat Profesional, 6, 995–1002.

Sayed, Y. M., Mohamed, S. A., & Farouk, N. (2020). Effect of cryotherapy at venipuncture site on pain intensity among children undergoing blood sampling. 2(2), 72–80.

Şermet, M. B., Özyazıcıoğlu, N., & Ergün, S. (2021). The Effect of Cold Application on Relieving Drug Infusion-Related Pain in Children: A Randomized Controlled Experimental Trial in Turkey. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 61, e93–e98. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2021.05.007

Silverberg, J. I., Yosipovitch, G., Simpson, E. L., Kim, B. S., Wu, J. J., Eckert, L., Guillemin, I., Chen, Z., Ardeleanu, M., Bansal, A., Kaur, M., Rossi, A. B., Graham, N. M. H., Patel, N., & Gadkari, A. (2020). Dupilumab treatment results in early and sustained improvements in itch in adolescents and adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis: Analysis of the randomized phase 3 studies SOLO 1 and SOLO 2, AD ADOL, and CHRONOS. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 82(6), 1328–1336. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.02.060

Small, A., Fisher, A. D., & Lee, C. (2021). Analgesia for Sheep in Commercial Production : Where to Next ?

Sulasmiati, M., Nuratri, C. A. E., & Barus, L. S. (2017). The differences in cool pack compresses and deep breath relaxation technique on pain in school aged children after the booster Td. Jurnal Kesehatan.

Supartini, S. (2004). Atraumatic care for children. Jakarta: EGC.

Taam, B., & Lim, F. (2023). Best Practices in Pediatric Oncology Pain Management. AJN The American Journal of Nursing, 123(5). https://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/fulltext/2023/05000/best_practices_in_pediatric_oncology_pain.23.aspx

Triwijayanti, R., Melinia, R., & Rahmania, A. (2024). Cool Pack Management to Reduce Infusation Pain Level in Childhood Typhoid Patients. 12, 195–201.

Wandini, T., & Resandi, S. (2020). Intravenous line insertion and blood sampling in children: Assessment of pain experiences. Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia, 23(2), 45–52.

Waterhouse, J. (2013). Pain management in children: A guide for health professionals. Springer.

Wilandika, A., Sabarudin, I., & Sajodin. (2025). A non-pharmacological approach to pain management in pediatrics: cold pack therapy during intravenous cannulation. Pain Management, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/17581869.2025.2587562

Wonginchan, A., Thanasilp, S., & Rodcumdee, B. (2017). Effects of cold alcohol compression on pain of preschoolers receiving intravenous fluid infusion. 1169–1174. https://doi.org/10.4103/ATMPH.ATMPH

Yilmaz, D., & Canbulat Sahiner, N. (2023). The effects of virtual reality glasses and external cold and vibration on procedural pain and anxiety in children during venous phlebotomy: randomized controlled trial. Virtual Reality, 27(4), 3393–3401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-022-00714-7

Zhou, X., Xiong, J., Chi, Z., Hua, F., Lu, L., Chen, J., Tang, G., Zhu, S., Zhong, Z., & Guo, H. (2020). Acupuncture with or without moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea. 0(August), 1–5.

Zhou, Z., Hu, L., Wang, M., Li, S., & Zhou, L. (2025). Effects of Cold and Vibration on Venipuncture Pain Management in Children Aged 2-7 Years Old : Randomized Controlled Trial. 8, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.2196/67918

Downloads

Published

2026-01-07

How to Cite

Heryani, F., & Purwandi, H. (2026). Effectiveness of Ice Pack Application on Pain During Intravenous Insertion Procedures in Preschool-Aged Children. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research, 8(3), 145–158. https://doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v8i3.1136

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.