The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the coughing technique, ShotBlockerTo evaluate the effects of the coughing technique, ShotBlocker and vibration device on pain intensity and patient satisfaction during subcutaneous (SC) insulin injections in hospitalised adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

The study was conducted at the Imam Al-Hassan Al Mujtaba Teaching Hospital, Al-Imam Al-Hasan Teaching Hospital, Al-Hindia Teaching Hospital, and Imam Al-Hussein Medical City in Holy Karbala. A simple random sampling of adults with T2DM was assigned in the current study from the previously mentioned setting. One hundred and forty patients were classified into 4 groups, 35 patients in the ShotBlocker group, 36 patients in the Vibration group 38 patients in the coughing group and 31 patients in the control group.

There were statistically significant differences in pain scores among the study groups (P = 0.000). The vibration group had significantly lower pain scores (P = 0.000). Similarly, the ShotBlocker group demonstrated significantly lower pain scores (P = 0.000), and the coughing group also exhibited significantly lower pain scores (P = 0.000) compared to the control group. Regarding satisfaction scores, there were statistically significant differences among the groups (P = 0.000). The vibration group had significantly higher satisfaction scores (P = 0.000). Similarly, the ShotBlocker group showed significantly higher satisfaction scores (P = 0.000), and the coughing group had significantly higher satisfaction scores (P = 0.004) compared to the control group.

The coughing technique, ShotBlocker and vibration device are effective, non-invasive methods for reducing pain and enhancing patient satisfaction during SC insulin injections in adults with T2DM.