Insertion pain in needle electromyography can be reduced by simultaneous finger slapping

Electrodiagnostic procedures using needle electrodes often result in substantial discomfort for the patient. The pain induced can result in premature termination of the investigation and may limit the diagnostic information gained due to movement artifacts. Subjective factors are known to influence the patient’s perception of pain considerably.1,2 False reassurance about the test, fear of needles, or sound emanating from the instrument’s loudspeaker may have an adverse effect on the patient’s experience during the examination.2 Because these factors are difficult to predict and control, every attempt should be made to reduce pain to a minimum. A simultaneous finger slap next to the injection site is used by Korean nurses to reduce pain due to needle injections.3 The purpose of this study was to determine whether application of this technique during the insertion of an electromyography (EMG) needle would reduce self-reported pain. Seventy-seven patients who were examined electromyographically in the department of neurology between March and December 1997 …