RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07108192

The Effect of Hand Holding and Stress Ball Intervention on Pain and Anxiety

The Effect of Hand Holding and Stress Ball Intervention on Pain and Anxiety During Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sponsor

Sakarya University

Enrollment

108 participants

Start Date

Oct 8, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Cataract Surgery

Summary

Cataract surgery is currently primarily performed with topical anesthesia. Although topical anesthesia provides many benefits for patients, they may experience pain, anxiety and discomfort during surgery. It has been reported that increased pain and anxiety during surgery may decrease patient cooperation and satisfaction, making surgery more difficult. In this context, in addition to medical interventions, non-pharmacologic methods are recommended to manage pain and anxiety during surgery. Non-pharmacological methods are reported to be simple, effective and cost-effective. In this context, studies have shown that stress ball application and hand holding are effective strategies for the control of pain and anxiety in patients. According to this information, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of stress ball application and hand holding method used during cataract surgery on patients' pain and anxiety. Another aim of the study was to determine the effects of stress ball application and hand holding method on patients' satisfaction levels and vital signs.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing whether simple comfort measures — hand holding and squeezing a stress ball — can reduce pain and anxiety in patients having cataract eye surgery under local (topical) anesthesia. The intervention is non-medical and completely safe. **You may be eligible if:** - You are 18 years or older - You understand and speak Turkish - You are alert, aware of your surroundings, and oriented - You have no hearing or perception problems - You have no mental or neurological disorders affecting communication - This is your first cataract surgery - You have no psychiatric diagnosis or related medications - You have no physical problem squeezing a stress ball - You have not taken pain or anesthetic medications in the 24 hours before the procedure **You may NOT be eligible if:** - Your surgery requires switching to general anesthesia - You have had previous eye surgery - You have communication or physical difficulties that prevent participation Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

OTHERHand Holding

Hand holding intervention will be performed by the researcher. Before cataract surgery, the researcher will sit in a chair next to the patient and warm his/her hands to a level that does not disturb the patient. 1-2 minutes before cataract surgery, the researcher will hold the patient's hand without gloves, with one hand, with moderate pressure, without rubbing or squeezing it uncomfortably. The hand holding intervention will continue until the cataract surgery is completed

OTHERStress Ball

According to the randomization, the patient in the stress ball group will first be taught the use of stress balls face to face by the researcher. The researcher will place a round, medium-hard, high-quality stress ball of the same brand in the patient's active hand 1-2 minutes before the cataract surgery is started. The patient will be asked to squeeze and relax the stress ball by counting to 5 during cataract surgery. After squeezing the stress ball, he/she should count to 5 and then loosen it. The patient will be asked to continue this process until the cataract surgery is completed.

OTHERControl Group

Patients who did not receive any intervention other than standard treatment and care during cataract surgery were defined as the control group.