Cough away the pain: simple trick may ease needle jabs
NCT ID NCT00233844
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether coughing during a blood draw can reduce pain. Twenty-one healthy men had blood drawn twice—once with coughing and once without—and rated their pain. The goal was to understand how the 'cough-trick' works. If effective, it could offer a simple, drug-free way to ease needle pain.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cough-trick (a procedure where the patient coughs during needle insertion)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to reduce pain from needle sticks.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study in healthy men only. It may not work for everyone or in other types of pain.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
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