Evaluation of Efficacy of Valsalva Maneuver During Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation on Pain

Background: Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the Valsalva maneuver during peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion on procedure-related pain. Design: This work was a prospective randomized controlled study. Settings: Study was conducted in the orthopedics clinic of a university hospital. Participants/Subjects: Methods: The sample of patients (N = 110) was allocated to the Valsalva maneuver group (n = 55) and control group (n = 55) by using blocked randomization to reduce bias and achieve balance according to age and gender. Pain was evaluated by using Numerical Rating Scale. Systolic/diastolic blood pressure and heart rate before and after the PIVC placement was recorded. Results: The patients in the intervention group had less severe pain during the PIVC insertion than the patients in the control group (p < .001). After PIVC placement, systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced in both groups (p =.008), no other variables changed significantly. No clinical complication related to the Valsalva maneuver occurred in the intervention group. Conclusion: Valsalva maneuver can be used as a non-pharmacologic method to reduce pain during PIVC placement. (C) 2021 American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.