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Effect of Topical Black Pepper Oil on Pain and Vein Visibility During Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization in Children
Sponsor: Istanbul University
Summary
This randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of topical black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) essential oil on vein visibility, palpability, and pain in children aged 7-12 years undergoing peripheral intravenous catheterization (PIVC) in a pediatric emergency department. The study was conducted between March 2024 and March 2025 at the Pediatric Emergency Department of Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Türkiye. A total of 80 children were allocated to an intervention group (n=40) or a control group (n=40) using computer-generated simple randomization. Children in the intervention group received 3 mL of a topical preparation containing 20% black pepper essential oil and 80% Aloe vera, applied to the planned catheterization site using a roll-on applicator. After a 10-minute waiting period, vein visibility and palpability were reassessed. Children in the control group received routine care without an additional topical intervention. The primary outcome was vein visibility and palpability, assessed before the intervention and approximately 10 minutes later using the Vein Visibility and Palpability Score. The secondary outcome was pain intensity, assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before catheterization and immediately after completion of the procedure. Vein assessments were performed independently by two outcome assessors who were not informed of group allocation. The study aimed to investigate whether topical black pepper essential oil could improve vein prominence and reduce reported pain in children undergoing peripheral intravenous catheterization.
Official title: The Effect of Topical Black Pepper Oil Applied Before Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization on Procedural Pain and Vein Visibility in Children Aged 7-12 Years Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
7 Years - 12 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2024-03-12
Completion Date
2025-03-12
Last Updated
2026-11-02
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Topical Black Pepper Essential Oil Preparation
Children in the intervention group received 3 mL of a topical preparation containing 20% black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) essential oil and 80% Aloe vera. The preparation was applied to the planned peripheral intravenous catheterization site using a roll-on applicator with 12 application strokes. After a 10-minute waiting period, vein visibility and palpability were assessed before tourniquet application. Standard skin antisepsis and peripheral intravenous catheterization were subsequently performed.
Locations (1)
Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)