Comparing the Effect of Cryotherapy on Hugo Point and Needle Insertion Site on the Pain of Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation in Patient with Hemodialysis

Aims: Hemodialysis is the most common treatment method for patients, and access to blood vessels is the way to save hemodialysis patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effect of Hugo point cold therapy with the needle insertion site on pain caused by venipuncture in hemodialysis. Material Methods: This randomized clinical trial was carried out on hemodialysis patients of Hami Arak Dialysis Center in Arak, Iran. The samples were selected by purposive sampling (n=56) and assigned into two groups (28 samples each). For group A, an ice pack was used at the needle entry sites, and for group B, an ice pack was used at the Hugo point of the opposite hand for 10 minutes before cannulation by a nurse. The pain intensity of the patients was measured within 1 minute after cannulation and recorded based on the visual comparison scale of pain measurement (VAS). Data was analyzed using SPSS 23 software. Findings: The average pain in groups A and B were 3.10±86.81 and 4.2±65.05, respectively. There was no significant difference in the average pain intensity between the two cold therapy groups at the needle insertion site and Hugo point (p 0.05). Conclusion: Cryotherapy intervention at the needle insertion site and Hugo’s point have the same effect on reducing arteriovenous fistula cannulation pain.