Liam was 15 when he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Within months, finger pricks and CGM sensor changes had become the most dreaded part of his day.
He’d delay testing. Argue. Sometimes remove his sensor early just to avoid the change procedure. At school, he stopped testing altogether — which meant periods where no one knew what his glucose levels were doing.
His mum described every finger prick as “a battle.”
What changed
Liam’s diabetes nurse educator introduced NeedleCalm as part of his care plan. He applied the pad himself — to his fingertip before each prick, and to his upper arm before sensor changes — and was encouraged to focus on the sensation rather than what was coming next. Within the first week, finger pricks felt “barely noticeable.” By his first sensor change using NeedleCalm, he didn’t cry — the first time since his diagnosis.
Medium-Term Outcomes (4–12 Weeks)
| Outcome Measure | Pre-NeedleCalm | 12 Weeks Post-Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Finger pricks completed per day | 1–2 (avoidance) | 3–4 (as prescribed) |
| CGM sensors removed early | 2 in 3 months | 0 in 3 months |
| Anticipatory anxiety (0–10) | 8–9/10 | 2–3/10 |
| Independent BGL testing at school | Rarely | Daily |
| HbA1c trend | Worsening | Improving |
| Reported pain during prick (0–10) | 6–7/10 | 1–2/10 |
In Liam’s words
“I actually don’t really think about it anymore. I just put it on and do the test. It doesn’t hurt like it used to.”
His mum:
“Before NeedleCalm, every single finger prick was a battle. Now he just does it himself. It’s made such a difference to all of us.”
*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect patient privacy. This case study is a composite illustrative example for educational purposes.
