Using a stress ball during nebulizer therapy to reduce anxiety and improve treatment duration

Investigation of the Effect of Stress Ball Utilisation on Treatment Duration, Dyspnoea Severity and Anxiety Level in Patients Receiving Nebuliser Therapy: A Randomised Controlled Study

Not applicable Interventional Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi · NCT06297356

This study tests whether using a stress ball during nebulizer therapy can help hospitalized patients feel less anxious and improve their treatment experience.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi Academic / other
Locations1 site (Kırşehir, Center)
Trial IDNCT06297356 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the impact of using a stress ball during nebulizer therapy on treatment duration, dyspnea severity, and anxiety levels in hospitalized patients. Participants will engage in squeezing and releasing a stress ball while receiving nebulizer treatment, with the aim of making the therapy period more active and less anxiety-inducing. A control group will be utilized to compare the effects of the intervention against standard nebulizer therapy without the stress ball. The study seeks to determine if this simple intervention can enhance patient experience and outcomes during inhalation therapy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are hospitalized patients who have been receiving nebulizer treatment at least twice a day and have prior experience using a nebulizer at home.

Not a fit: Patients experiencing severe exacerbation attacks, high anxiety levels, or those with muscle or nerve problems in their hands may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help patients manage anxiety and improve their overall experience during nebulizer treatments.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific use of a stress ball during nebulizer therapy is novel, similar interventions aimed at reducing anxiety during medical treatments have shown positive outcomes in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Hospitalized for at least three days
* Having nebulizer treatment at least twice a day
* Medicines that have the same effect as prescribed (bronchodilators)
* Patients who are required to have at least 4 ml of medication in the reservoir
* Patients who have previous experience of using a nebulizer at home

Exclusion Criteria:

* Those who have severe exacerbation attacks
* People with speech problems
* People who experience severe dyspnea due to heart disease
* Those with high anxiety levels for any reason (death of a relative, etc.)
* Those with muscle or nerve problems in their hands
* Those who did not consent to participate in the study

Where this trial is running

Kırşehir, Center

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Inhalation TherapyComplicationsnebuliserinhalersdyspneaanxiety level
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.