Using a 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
This will test whether holding a stress ball during chest tube removal reduces pain, lowers anxiety, and stabilizes vital signs in adults after open-heart surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 46 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mersin University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Yenişehir, Mersin) |
| Trial ID | NCT07251270 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with a single chest tube after planned open-heart surgery will be assigned to a stress-ball group or a control group receiving routine care. Nurses will teach and have patients squeeze a 6 cm silicone stress ball starting 15 minutes before and continuing through chest tube removal, with removal performed by a physician while hemodynamics are monitored. Pain (VAS), anxiety (VAS-A), and bedside hemodynamic variables will be recorded before and after the procedure. Data collection will occur at Mersin University and include only cooperative, Turkish-speaking patients with stable postoperative status.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who speak Turkish, are conscious and cooperative, have a single chest tube after planned open-heart surgery, stable hemodynamics, no psychiatric diagnosis, and are not on psychiatric or local neuromuscular blocking medications.
Not a fit: Patients under 18, those with multiple chest tubes, unstable postoperative condition, emergency surgery, current psychiatric diagnoses or relevant medications, non-Turkish speakers, or uncooperative patients are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this low-cost, nonpharmacologic approach could reduce pain and anxiety and help keep vital signs more stable during chest tube removal.
How similar studies have performed: Distraction techniques such as squeezing objects or other nonpharmacologic methods have shown modest reductions in procedural pain and anxiety in other clinical settings, though use specifically during chest tube removal is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:Patients will be included : have only one chest tube after open heart surgery, * 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 Criteria:Patients who do not have a chest tube or have multiple chest tubes after open heart surgery, * 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.
Where this trial is running
Yenişehir, Mersin
- Turkey, Mersin University, — Yenişehir, Mersin, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Tuğba ÇAM YANIK
- Email: tugbacam@mersin.edu.tr
- Phone: +905067703216
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.