The Effect of Hand Holding and Stress Ball Intervention on Pain and Anxiety
Recruiting now · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Cataract Surgery
In brief
Cataract surgery is currently primarily performed with topical anesthesia. Although topical anesthesia provides many benefits for patients, they may experience pain, anxiety and discomfort during surgery. It has been reported that increased pain and anxiety during surgery may decrease patient cooperation and satisfaction, making surgery more difficult. In this context, in addition to medical interventions, non-pharmacologic methods are recommended to manage pain and anxiety during surgery. Non-pharmacological methods are reported to be simple, effective and cost-effective. In this context, studies have shown that stress ball application and hand holding are effective strategies for the control of pain and anxiety in patients. According to this information, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of stress ball application and hand holding method used during cataract surgery on patients' pain and anxiety. Another aim of the study was to determine the effects of stress ball application and hand holding method on patients' satisfaction levels and vital signs.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07108192
- Run by
- Sakarya University
- People needed
- 108
- Starts
- 2025-10-08
- Expected to finish
- 2026-07-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-02-06
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- 18 years and over
- Can understand and speak Turkish
- Clear consciousness, person, place and time oriented
- No hearing and perception problems
- Does not have any mental or neurological disorders that may affect communication (Alzheimer's, dementia, etc.)
- First time cataract surgery
- Those without any psychiatric diagnosis/ treatment (antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedatives, etc.)
- No physical problems in squeezing the stress ball (muscle, joint problems, etc.)
- No analgesic or anesthetic medication 24 hours before the procedure
- Individuals who agree to participate in the study will be included in the study
You may not qualify if…
- Conversion of topical anesthesia to general anesthesia during surgery
- A different story of eye surgery
- Hearing, speech, physical or mental disability
- Pregnancy or possible pregnancy
- Those with malignancy
- Taking an analgesic medication at least 24 hours before the procedure
- People with chronic pain
- History of incomplete or canceled cataract procedures
- Hypertension in the patient (>160/100 mmHg)
- Suppurative/infective/inflammatory skin condition of the hands
- Hypersensitivity to touch
- Patients with contact-transmitted diseases
- Being uncomfortable with hand-holding,
- In case of need for emergency intervention by a physician during or immediately after the procedure
- Failure to perform the stress ball application in accordance with the instruction
- Pre-existing neuropathy (muscle joint problem, stroke, etc.)
- Complications during cataract surgery
- Those who want to leave the study voluntarily
- Termination of the procedure due to deterioration of the patient's general condition during the procedure
- Failure to carry out intervention practices in accordance with the determined protocol (Dropping the stress ball during the procedure, etc.)
Where it is running
- Yenikent State Hospital — Sakarya, Turkey (Türkiye) (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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