EFFECT OF SYZYGIUM GEL ON ENOXAPARIN INJECTION PAIN IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME PATIENTS

The pain resulting from enoxaparin injection is an undesirable experience that has not yet been effectively controlled in spite of the scientific advances. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of Syzygium gel on intensity of the pain induced by enoxaparin injection in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This clinical trial was performed with a crossover design in the Cardiology Department of Farshchian Hospital, Hamadan, Iran. Samples were obtained from the ACS patients through convenience method and assigned randomly into two groups of A and B. Prior to the initiation of the intervention, written informed consent was obtained from the participants. At the first step, intensity of the pain resulting from enoxaparin injection was assessed in both groups following receiving the routine pre-injection cares. Afterwards, as the second step, in group A, 1 cc of clove gel was applied topically in diameter of 3 cm 30 min before the injection, while 1 cc of lubricant gel was used in group B instead of the clove gel. Finally, in the third step, the intervention was swapped between the groups, and the intensity of injection-induced pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale immediately post-injection. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS, version 16. In the post-injection stage, the mean pain intensities were 5.95±1.78, 5.014±1.72, and 3.321±1.52 in the routine care, placebo, and Syzygium gel groups, respectively, indicating that Syzygium gel application significantly reduced the pain caused by enoxaparin injection (P<0.001). Syzygium gel could be administered by the nurses 30 min prior to enoxaparin injection. It could be considered as an effective and efficient local anesthetic for diminishing site-pain intensity. Furthermore, placebo can assuage pain in case analgesic medications are not available or are contraindicated. Keywords: Complementary Therapies, Pain, Syzygium, Enoxaparin, Acute Coronary Syndrome