A randomized control trial employing infraorbital nerve stimulation as a neural distractor during nasopharyngeal swab.

Publication/Presentation Date

9-1-2024

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: With the global COVID-19 pandemic, nasopharyngeal swabbing has become commonplace and can occasionally cause discomfort, tearing, and anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether using a neural distraction device during nasopharyngeal swabbing can mitigate patient discomfort.

METHODS: Participants were randomized into nasal swab with vibration first (treatment-control or Tc) or nasal swab without vibration first (control-treatment or Ct). Then the swab was repeated with the opposite technique. The vibration device was used to stimulate the infraorbital nerve at the midpupillary line, while a nasopharyngeal swab was performed according to CDC protocol. After each swab, participants filled out a survey to assess pain, discomfort, and tearing. This procedure was replicated on the contralateral nostril for a total of 4 swabs and 4 surveys.

RESULTS: Thirty-four subjects were included in the analysis. In the Ct group, there was a median 1.0-point decrease in pain with the use of vibration (95% CI [-1.8, -0.3]

CONCLUSION: Vibratory stimulation of the infraorbital nerve is safe and effectively reduced pain, discomfort, and tearing during nasopharyngeal swab. Vibration is a reasonable option to minimize patient discomfort during COVID-19 or other microbiological testing.

Volume

103

Issue

9

First Page

560

Last Page

560

ISSN

1942-7522

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

35089070

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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