Comparison of the Effect of Two Methods of Hugo Point Massage on Pain Intensity, Anxiety, and Success rate of Arterial Blood Sampling

Pain is the most common complication of arterial blood sampling that leads to patient’s fear and anxiety, lack of cooperation, and dissatisfaction and reduces the success of sampling.

This study aimed to compare the effect of two methods of Hugo point massage with ice and without ice on pain intensity, anxiety, and the success of arterial blood sampling.

This experimental study was performed on 90 patients in Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran, in 2020. Sampling was conducted using the convenience sampling method and 30 participants were randomly assigned to three groups. In the group of Hugo point massage with ice, the Hugo point was massaged with ice marbles for 5 min before sampling. However, in the group of Hugo point massage without ice, the massage was performed only by the thumb. Eventually, the routine method of sampling was applied in the control group.The intensity of pain and anxiety in patients was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale and six-item Spielberger Anxiety Scale, respectively. Moreover, the arterial blood sampling duration, the number of arterial blood sampling, and arterial blood sampling result were documented as well. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 25) through Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, analysis of variance, and Wilcoxon tests.

The mean±SD pain intensity of patients in the group of Hugo point massage with ice (1.50±0.57) was significantly lower than that in the groups of Hugo point massage without ice (2.25±1.21) (P=0.019) and control (2.80±0.92) (P<0.001).The mean±SD score of anxiety after intervention in the group of Hugo point massage with ice (11.67±0.96) was significantly lower than that in the groups of Hugo point massage without ice (12.63±2.11) (P=0.040) and control (13.50±2.03) (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed among the three groups in terms of the mean±SD of blood sampling duration and the number of arterial blood sampling,Implications for Practice: Hugo point massage with ice is suggested to be used as an available, efficient, and cost-effective method before arterial blood sampling.