The Effect of Cold Application Before Breathing Exercises on Sternotomy Pain: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Aim: The effect of peripheral cold application on sternotomy pain before deep breathing and coughing exercises was investigated. Methods: The research was carried out between November 2015 and April 2016 at a hospital in the western part of Turkey as a quasi-experimental study. The study sample consisted of 20 patients with median sternotomy. Breathing exercises were performed on the sternotomy incisions of the patients without cold application and with cold application (first application) and the same procedure was repeated a second time (second application). Pain associated with breathing exercises was assessed by numerical pain scale. 'Patient Identification Form' and 'Data Collection Form' which were formed by the researchers in line with the literature, were used in collecting the research data. Results: In the first and second applications, the pain scores associated with breathing exercises in which cold application was administered were statistically significantly lower than in which cold application was not administered. 90% of the patients felt comfortable during cold application, 85% preferred to do cold application before deep breathing and coughing exercise and 95% said that they can recommend this application to other patients. Conclusions: In this study, it was found that peripheral cold application on sternotomy before deep breathing and coughing exercise reduced sternotomy pain. According to the results of the study, peripheral cold application is recommended to reduce sternotomy pain before deep breathing and coughing in patients with sternotomy.