Effect of Dry Cold Application on Pain Perception and Ecchymosis among Patients Receiving Low Molecular Weight Heparin

The study to assess the effect of dry cold application on pain perception and ecchymosis among patients receiving low molecular weight heparin was conducted using true experimental posttest only control group design. Using total enumerative sampling technique 25 samples were selected and randomly assigned to experimental group (n=13) and the control group (n=12). Dry cold application was given for 3 minutes on the LMWH injection site for the experimental group. Pain perception and ecchymosis was assessed using numerical pain rating scale and transparent ruler scale respectively. Using unpaired 't' test, the effect of dry cold application on pain perception was analyzed immediately after withdrawing the needle, after 4 hours and 8 hours(t = 2.205, 2.827 and 2.912 respectively, df = 23, p < 0.05) and ecchymosis was analyzed after 48 hours and 72 hours (t = 2.129 and 2.118 respectively, df = 23, p < 0.05). Hence it is concluded that application of dry cold is effective in reducing the level of pain perception and ecchymosis among patients receiving low molecular weight heparin.