The Effect of Rapid Relaxation Exercise and Cold Application on Pain, Anxiety, and Satisfaction Before Chest Tube Removal

Overview

A chest tube is inserted to drain air, fluid, or blood from the pleural space and is vital for restoring respiratory function in the postoperative period. However, tube removal is often described by patients as one of the most painful and anxiety-provoking experiences. The sudden negative pressure changes that occur during the procedure, the stretching of the tissues, and the separation of the tube from the pleural tissue cause pain. This leads not only to physical discomfort but also to increased anxiety. Effectively controlling pain after surgical procedures is crucial for reducing complications and improving patient satisfaction. While pharmacological methods are often the first choice, interest in non-pharmacological approaches is increasing due to side effects and cost. In this context, rapid relaxation exercises and cold application are among the methods that are easy to implement, have no side effects, and have proven effective in nursing care. Rapid relaxation exercises are a simple breathing and muscle control technique that allows individuals to relax quickly by reducing muscle tension. This method balances the autonomic nervous system, producing both physiological and psychological relief. This helps reduce pain perception, control anxiety, and improve patient confidence. Cold application, on the other hand, reduces nerve conduction velocity by causing regional vasoconstriction and raises the pain threshold, providing an analgesic effect. Literature indicates that cold application is effective in reducing pain during invasive procedures such as chest tube removal and also increases patient satisfaction. Based on this information, the combined use of rapid relaxation exercise and cold application before chest tube removal may have a synergistic effect in reducing pain and anxiety. Furthermore, the noninvasiveness, ease of application, and cost-effectiveness of these methods provide significant advantages for nursing practice.This study was designed to determine the effects of rapid relaxation exercise and cold application before hest tube removal on pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction.

Open-heart surgery is a major surgical procedure frequently used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. After such operations, a chest tube is usually placed to drain air, fluid, and blood accumulated in the chest cavity. While a chest tube is vital in the postoperative period, it can cause intense pain, anxiety, and discomfort in patients during its removal. The literature reports that negative experiences during this process can significantly impact patient satisfaction, comfort, and overall well-being. The pain felt during chest tube removal is usually sudden, sharp, and short-lived; however, this pain can deepen the physical and psychological dimensions of the trauma experienced by the individual. Furthermore, increased anxiety can lead to undesirable physiological changes in cardiac patients, impairing hemodynamic stability. Therefore, investigating the effectiveness of non-invasive, low-cost, and easy-to-implement nursing interventions is crucial for improving the quality of patient care. Cold application (cryotherapy) and relaxation exercises are among the frequently used complementary methods to reduce pain and anxiety in the postoperative period. Cold application provides an analgesic effect by slowing nerve conduction; Rapid relaxation exercises, on the other hand, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, providing psychological relief. However, there is insufficient scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of this technique during chest tube removal. Furthermore, randomized controlled trials examining the combined use of these interventions are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rapid relaxation exercises and cold application on pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction before chest tube removal.