To look or not to look during vaccination: A pilot randomized trial

ABSTRACTBackground: Clinicians commonly advise patients to look away from the needle during vaccinations; however, this recommendation is not evidence based.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether looking at the needle versus looking away affects pain and fear during vaccinations in adults.Methods: This was a pilot randomized two-group parallel trial with university students receiving influenza vaccinations. Participants were stratified according to their initial needle-looking preference and randomly assigned to either look at versus away from the needle. Participants self-reported their pain and fear during vaccination.Results: Of the 184 subjects who agreed to participate, 160 were enrolled; 66% were female. A three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA; Looking allocation assignment × Looking preference × Sex) revealed a significant main effect of looking allocation assignment on fear (P = 0.025); those who were randomized to look had higher fear scores than those who were randomized to look awa...