The study was a single-blind randomised control trial. Patients were allocated randomly to three groups: (i) Cold was applied for two minutes before the injection in the first group (n=26); (ii) Cold was applied for 5 min before the injection in the second group (n=26); and (iii) control group (n=26). All participating patients were injected 40 mg enoxaparin sodium in 0.4 ml in the pre-filled syringes using standard LMWH injection protocol. Post-injection VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) assessment and assessment of the presence and size of bruise and haematoma were conducted at 48th and 72nd hours after the injections for all groups.
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effect of cold application at different periods of time on the occurrence of bruising, haematoma and pain in the subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) injected patients.