TPR versus Z-track to reduce pain and drug leakage with ventrogluteal intramuscular injections
Official title: Effects of TPR Technique and Z Technique on Pain and Drug Leakage in Intramuscular Injections
Run by Cumhuriyet University · NCT07004166 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether the TPR or Z-track injection technique causes less pain and less medicine leakage for people aged 16–40 receiving intramuscular diclofenac.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 76 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Cumhuriyet University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Sivas and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 15, 2025 |
| Main results expected | August 20, 2025 |
| Study ends | August 25, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | June 4, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07004166 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are people aged 16–40 who are prescribed intramuscular diclofenac, have no communication impairments, and have healthy ventrogluteal muscles without sensory issues.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients outside the 16–40 age range, those not receiving intramuscular diclofenac, or those with wounds, inflammation, neuropathy, recent injections, or extreme BMI (<15 or >35) are unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized, triple-blind trial compares the TPR (traction-pressure-release) and Z-track techniques during ventrogluteal intramuscular diclofenac injections in 76 participants aged 16–40. Each participant receives injections using both techniques on randomly assigned ventrogluteal sites, with all injections given by the same nurse and outcomes assessed by blinded evaluators. Pain is measured with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and drug leakage is quantified using millimetric paper and a ruler. The trial aims to determine whether TPR offers a quicker, less painful, and lower-leakage alternative to the established Z-track method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce injection pain and medication leakage, improving patient comfort and adherence while offering a simple, low-cost technique for clinicians.
How similar studies have gone: The Z-track method is well-established to reduce leakage, while TPR is a newer technique with some promising pain-reduction data but limited prior research on drug leakage.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 16-40 * Prescribed diclofenac sodium * No communication impairments * Healthy ventrogluteal muscles without sensory issues Exclusion Criteria: * Wounds, redness, bruising, tenderness, or stiffness at the injection site * Injection in the past 2 weeks * Neuropathy or other medical conditions * BMI below 15 or above 35
Where it's running
-
Sivas Numune Hospital
Sivas, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting -
Sivas State Hospital
Sivas, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Hülya KOÇYİĞİT KAVAK, Phd
- Email: hkocyigit@cumhuriyet.edu.tr
- Phone: 90555408876
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.