Buzzy® for Kids’ Injections: Does Vibration + Cold Actually Reduce Pain?

Study Overview

Intramuscular (IM) injections are one of the most common—and most feared—procedures in childhood. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether Buzzy® (a small device that combines cold + vibration) reduces pain, and also helps with fear and anxiety, for children (0-18 years) receiving IM injections.

Researchers reviewed randomised trials published between 2015 and 2024 and pooled results using meta-analysis methods.

Key Findings

- Pain reduction was consistent across perspectives
Across included trials, children reported less pain with Buzzy®, and this pattern was also seen in parent-reported and observer-reported pain outcomes.

- Fear and anxiety improved, but evidence was less steady
Results suggested Buzzy® can help reduce fear and anxiety, but these outcomes were measured less consistently and the certainty of evidence was lower.

- Most studies had “some concerns” for bias
Blinding was difficult (it’s obvious when the device is used), and outcomes like pain/fear are subjective—so the review notes limitations in study quality and consistency.

- A practical advantage: low-resource and reusable
Buzzy® is presented as a reusable, low-cost option that can be incorporated into routine care, especially where quick, non-drug pain relief strategies are needed.

Implications

This review supports Buzzy® as a useful tool to reduce pain during IM injections in children. It’s not positioned as a “magic fix” for every child, but it’s an easy, scalable addition to atraumatic care—particularly when paired with good child-centred practices (comfort positioning, preparation, distraction, calm coaching).

For services deciding whether to adopt it: the strongest evidence is for pain reduction, while fear/anxiety benefits look promising but need more high-quality, multi-site trials to confirm.

Read more:https://www.pediatricnursing.org/article/S0882-5963(25)00453-1/fulltext 

Authors: Jefferson Wildes da Silva Moura; Mari Takashima; Thiago Lopes Silva; Sabrina de Souza; Aline de Souza Bitencourt; Fábila Fernanda dos Passos da Rosa; Henrik Hjelmgren; Luciano Marques dos Santos; Amanda Ullman; Patrícia Kuerten Rocha