Vapocoolant Spray's Role in Reducing Pain During Capillary Glucose Testing

Capillary blood glucose measurement is a routine procedure in emergency departments, but it may cause pain and discomfort because it requires fingertip puncture. Vapocoolant spray is a rapid, noninvasive, and inexpensive method of topical analgesia that may reduce pain during minor procedures. However, its effectiveness during capillary blood glucose testing has not been sufficiently studied. This study aims to evaluate whether vapocoolant spray reduces pain during capillary blood glucose measurement compared with placebo in adult emergency department patients requiring at least two clinically indicated glucose measurements. In this randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial, participants receive both vapocoolant spray and placebo in a randomized sequence before two separate capillary glucose measurements. Pain is assessed immediately after each procedure using a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale. The findings may help inform practical strategies to improve patient comfort during routine glucose testing in emergency care settings.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged ≥18 years * Patients requiring at least two capillary blood glucose measurements for any reason * Patients who agree to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Allergy to the components of the spray * Conditions that may affect capillary blood glucose measurement or pain perception, such as peripheral neuropathy or peripheral arterial disease * Blood glucose levels outside the measurable range of the capillary device (extremely low or high levels) * Cognitive disorders that prevent the evaluation of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or cerebrovascular diseases * Severe conditions in other parts of the body that may interfere with pain evaluation