A Study to Assess the Effect of Cryotherapy to Reduce Puncture Pain on Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) among Patients on Haemodialysis in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Kamrup, Assam

Introduction: Pain is a complex and subjective experience. Pain response is seen during puncturing of Arteriovenous fistula among patients receiving hemodialysis. Cryotherapy in the form of cold application acts as a cutaneous stimulation technique to reduce puncture pain. The aim of the study is to assess effect of cryotherapy to reduce puncture pain on Arteriovenous fistula. Methods: A quantitative evaluative approach and non- randomized pre-test and post-test control group design was adopted for the study. Structured interview schedule consisting of two parts-demographic data and numerical pain scale was administered among 40 subjects. Results: There was significant mean difference between pre test and post test level of puncture pain on AVF in experimental group, while there was no such difference in the control group. The null hypothesis is rejected based on P less than0.001.There was no significant association between pre test level of puncture pain on AVF and selected variables such as age, gender, period of AVF use, number of haemodialysis per week and duration of haemodialyis. Conclusion: Cryotherapy was found to be very effective in reducing the puncture pain on AVF among patients undergoing haemodialysis.