Buzzy bee vibration and cold for easing pain and fear during elbow pin removal

Efficacy of the Buzzy System on Pain and Fear Reduction in Elbow Fracture Pin Removal

Not applicable Interventional University of Oklahoma · NCT07520851

We will test whether the Buzzy vibrating ice-pack can reduce pain and fear for children ages 3 to 10 during elbow pin removal.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment75 (estimated)
Ages3 Years to 10 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Oklahoma Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07520851 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, single-blind controlled trial will enroll children aged 3–10 who undergo percutaneous pinning for an elbow fracture. Participants will be assigned to receive the Buzzy vibrating cold device or a control intervention (flash cards) during pin removal. Pain will be measured with the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating and fear will be measured with the Children's Fear Scale, with ratings collected from the child, the parent, and the clinician removing the pins. The trial is conducted at OU Health Children's in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Children aged 3 to 10 who have had percutaneous pinning for an elbow fracture and whose caregiver is present and can provide consent.

Not a fit: Children younger than 3 or older than 10, those unable to communicate or quantify their pain, or those without parental consent or a caregiver present would not benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the Buzzy device could reduce pain and fear during pin removal, improving the experience for children and easing the procedure for families and clinicians.

How similar studies have performed: Similar vibration-plus-cold devices like the Buzzy have shown reductions in procedural pain in children for injections and blood draws, though their effect for elbow pin removal is less studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* between 3 to 10 years old
* undergoes percutaneous pinning of an elbow fracture

Exclusion Criteria:

* under age 3 or over age 10
* unable to quantify or express their pain
* Lack of parental consent
* Absence of caregiver during procedure

Where this trial is running

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Elbow FracturesPin Pulling
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.