Effect of breathing relaxation exercises on reducing pain during chest tube removal: A meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundChest tube removal (CTR) is perceived as a distressing experience by patients due to moderate or severe pain. Pain management is considered to be the primary nursing role. Relaxation takes the patient away from the thought of pain and increases the release of endorphins, further reducing pain PurposeThe aim of this study is to provide evidence of the effectiveness of breathing relaxation exercises in reducing pain during chest tube removal. DesignA meta-analysis. MethodsDatabase searches were carried out in Pub med, Complementary Index, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate, CINAHL Complete, OpenAIRE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Supplemental Index, Science Direct without restriction of year up to September 2023. The study was carried out in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and Cochrane 2021 recommendations. The intervention effects were pooled using the random effects model. The Risk of Bias 2 tool was' used to assess the risk of bias.Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. FindingsA total of 6 randomised controlled trials were included. Breathing relaxation exercises was determined to have an excellent and negative effect on pain intensity assessed immediately after chest tube removal (Hedge's g=-1,557,%95 GA=-1,841- -1,274, 280 hasta (negzersiz=139; nkontrol=141), p = 0.000). Breathing relaxation exercises was determined to have a high and negative impact on pain intensity assessed 15 min after chest tube removal ((Hedge's g=-0.816, 95 % CI=-1.299–0.333, 320 patients (nexercise=159; ncontrol=161). , p = 0.000). ConclusionsBreathing relaxation exercises were found to be effective in reducing pain immediately after chest tube removal and 15 min after chest tube removal.