Researchers at the University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center believe they have found a way to make patients less fearful of needles — decorate them with butterflies, flowers and smiley faces.
Fear of needles, or needle phobia, can impact the care a patient receives, the researchers said.
Such decorations likely interfere with an established link between visual recognition of a perceived threat and the subsequent emotional response to that threat, the study suggested.
Needles, syringes and IV bags decorated with musical notes, flowers and smiley faces were highly favored by patients, the researchers said.
“It would be great to see these types of decorated needles, syringes and IV bags mass produced,” says UNM medical school professor Wilmer Sibbitt. Could this be the niche business you’ve been looking for?
Photo by University of New Mexico.
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