RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07251270

Effect of Stress Ball During Chest Tube Removal After Open Heart Surgery

Effect of Stress Ball on Pain, Anxiety Levels, and Hemodynamic Variables During Chest Tube Removal After Open Heart Surgery

Sponsor

Mersin University

Enrollment

46 participants

Start Date

Nov 27, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Pain Anxiety Hemodynamic Changes

Summary

15 minutes before the procedure, nurses (FEÖ and NT) will explain and demonstrate how to use the stress ball. The stress ball will be applied for approximately five minutes, including the chest tube removal procedure. A round, medium-hard, high-quality silicone ball, approximately 6 cm in diameter, will be used. Patients will be asked to hold the ball in their palms, count to three, squeeze, and release once. Patients will be instructed to continue this exercise until the chest tube removal procedure is completed, and then, under the supervision of the researcher, for approximately five minutes, focusing their attention on the stress ball. The ball will be washed and cleaned after each use and wiped with disposable asepsis wipes before being administered to the patient. The control group will not receive any other treatment beyond routine treatment and will be assessed at the same time as the study group. The chest tube will be removed by a physician during the stress ball application. Procedural pain level, anxiety level and hemodynamic variables of all patients in the study and control groups will be re-evaluated immediately after chest tube removal and 15 and 30 minutes after chest tube removal.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria9

are 18 years of age or older,
are conscious and cooperative,
speak and understand Turkish,
have a stable general condition and hemodynamic variables,
have a planned surgical procedure,
have no previous chest tube experience,
have no psychiatric diagnosis,
are not using psychiatric and/or local neuromuscular blocking medications,
agree to participate in the study (sign the Informed Consent Form).

Exclusion Criteria9

Are under 18 years of age,
Are conscious and uncooperative,
Do not speak or understand Turkish,
Are in an unstable general condition or hemodynamic variables,
Have undergone emergency surgery,
Have previous chest tube placement experience,
Have a current psychiatric diagnosis,
Are taking psychiatric and/or local neuromuscular blocking medications,
Do not agree to participate in the study (do not sign the Informed Consent Form) will not be included in the study.

Interventions

OTHERStress ball

Recently, the use of non-pharmacological methods applied by nurses has become increasingly widespread. One independent nursing practice for reducing pain and anxiety is the stress ball. A stress ball, one of these non-pharmacological methods, utilizes the sense of touch to divert attention and cognitive focus. This simple, reliable, and low-cost method reduces pain and anxiety by directing the mind to a salient stimulus.