Needle phobia and pain among electrodiagnostic subjects: Preliminary survey
Document Type
Article
Department
Internal Medicine (East Africa)
Abstract
Needle phobia, otherwise known as trypanophobia, is seen in at least 10% of the general population. We evaluated the effect of needle phobia on the perceived and actual pain during electrodiagnostic procedures in this study.
Methods
Prospective subjects referred to our electrodiagnostic laboratory between July and August 2020 were interviewed. Demographic data, perceived pain score (using a visual analogue scale) for nerve conduction test (NCT) and electromyography were assessed. Needle phobia score (using a needle phobia scale) was collated and analyzed.
Results
Of the 38 subjects, 24 were male and 14 were females with mean age of 43.11 ± 12.2 and 41.05 ± 16.83 respectively ( p = 0.662). The needle phobia score was not different between female (13.25 ± 15.43) and males (17.40 ± 11.63), p = 0.56. The mean perceived pain score for NCT was 4.73 + −2.93 while mean of actual pain score was 4.94 ± 2.33 ( p = 0.028). The mean perceived pain score for EMG was 2.69 + −2.24 while mean post score was 4.25 ± 3.31, ( p = 0.028). There was a direct correlation between pre and post NCT pain scores (correlation coefficient 0.457, p = 0.007) and pre-EMG and post EMG pain scores (correlation c = 0.558, p = 0.025). Trypanophobia index was positively correlated to the perceived pain but not actual pain on EMG.
Conclusions
Inquiry about needle phobia and treating them may ensure more cooperation and tolerability of electrodiagnostic procedure, especially electromyogram in high-risk subjects.
Publication ( Name of Journal)
Elsevier
Recommended Citation
Adebayo, P., & Mwankabatika, R. (2021). Needle phobia and pain among electrodiagnostic subjects: Preliminary survey. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 429, 118619.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.