Can Buzzy® Help Reduce Pain During Intramuscular Injections in Children?

Posted on 25 August 2026

Study Overview

Intramuscular injections can cause pain, fear and anxiety for children. Buzzy® is a reusable device that combines cold and vibration near the injection site to provide a non-pharmacological approach to pain relief.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of Buzzy® during intramuscular injections in children. It included 12 studies involving 1,333 children.

Key Findings

Buzzy® was associated with lower pain during intramuscular injections compared with standard care or no intervention.
The review also examined its effect on children’s fear and anxiety during injections.
The findings support cold and vibration as a practical, non-pharmacological option for helping children manage injection-related discomfort.
However, differences between the included studies, such as age groups, injection types and pain measurement methods, should be considered when interpreting the results.

Implications

Buzzy® may be a useful addition to paediatric injection care, particularly as it is quick to apply, reusable and does not require medication.

The findings support incorporating age-appropriate pain-management strategies into routine care rather than treating injection pain as unavoidable. Buzzy® may be most effective when used alongside preparation, reassurance, distraction and family involvement.

Further high-quality research would help clarify which children and clinical settings are most likely to benefit.

Read more:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2025.12.013

Authors: Jefferson Wildes da Silva Moura; Mari Takashima; Thiago Lopes Silva; Sabrina de Souza; Aline de Souza Bitencourt; Franciele Ferreira dos Passos da Rosa; Helen Hjelmgren; Luciana Mara dos Santos; Amanda Ullman; Patrícia Kuerten Rocha

Can Buzzy® Help Reduce Pain During Intramuscular Injections in Children?

Address

Follow Us on