The Effect on Pain and Anxiety of Hot Pad Applied to Patients During Transrectal Prostate Biopsy

Abstract

AimThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the application of a heating pad on the sacral region on pain and anxiety during a transrectal prostate biopsy. DesignThis was a quasi-experimental study. MethodsThe quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Urology Outpatient Clinic of a Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul. A total of 40 males were nonrandomly divided into two groups: experimental group (n = 20) and control group (n = 20). A heating pad (40-45°C) was applied to the sacral region of the patients in the experimental group during transrectal prostate biopsy. Data were collected using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and visual analogue scale (VAS). ResultsIt was detected that the mean scores of the BAI were significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < .001). The scores of the VAS were significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control (p = .016). ConclusionApplying a heating pad to the sacral region during a transrectal prostate biopsy is an effective non-pharmacologic method to increase patient comfort and reduce pain and anxiety.