Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Effects of Vibration and Breathing Exercises on Pain and Anxiety During Chest Tube Removal

Turkey (Türkiye)90 participantsStarted 2026-06-15

Plain-language summary

Removing a chest tube is a common procedure after chest surgery, but it can cause significant pain and anxiety for patients. Although medications can help reduce these symptoms, they may have side effects and are not always sufficient. Therefore, simple and safe non-drug methods are increasingly used to improve patient comfort. This randomized controlled study aims to examine the effects of vibration and breathing exercises applied before chest tube removal on patients' pain and anxiety levels. Adult patients with a chest tube will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a vibration group, a breathing exercise group, or a control group receiving standard care. Pain and anxiety levels will be measured before the procedure and after chest tube removal using validated scales. The findings of this study are expected to show whether vibration and breathing exercises are effective in reducing pain and anxiety during chest tube removal. If effective, these methods may offer nurses an easy, low-cost, and safe way to improve patient comfort and support evidence-based nursing care.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria * 18 years of age and older, * Conscious, oriented, and cooperative (e.g., Glasgow Coma Score ≥ 13), * Able to speak and understand Turkish, * Having a chest tube and undergoing chest tube removal for the first time, * Hemodynamically stable, * Having not taken analgesic, sedative, or anxiolytic drugs at least 4 hours prior to the procedure, * Able to communicate and respond to pain assessment scales during the procedure, * No severe hearing, visual, or communication impairment, * No neurological or cognitive disease that could affect the assessment of cognitive functions, * No history of psychiatric diagnosis or active psychiatric treatment, * Patients who voluntarily participate in the study and provide written consent will be included. Exclusion criteria * Patients with past or current cognitive and psychological disorders, * Those who have previously had chest tube insertion, * Those who are mechanically ventilated (intubated), * Those who have chronic pain and routinely use analgesics, * Those who used analgesics immediately before chest tube removal, * Those who did not volunteer to participate in the study.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Pain Intensity

Timeframe: Assessed immediately before chest tube removal and 10 minutes after the procedure.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07327957

SponsorGamze BULUT

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-09-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Postoperative Pain trials