4-7-8 Breathing and Teach-Back Method for Pain, Anxiety, and Sleep After Knee Surgery: A Clinical Trial

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical intervention performed to alleviate pain and enhance quality of life in elderly individuals with impaired knee functionality due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other knee joint disorders. This procedure is primarily recommended in cases of advanced joint damage and aims to help patients regain their ability to perform daily activities. Postoperative rehabilitation plays a critical role in pain management, mobility improvement, and overall health recovery. The Teach-Back method is an effective educational strategy designed to enhance patients' comprehension of health-related information. This method ensures that patients accurately retain the information provided by healthcare professionals by requiring them to reiterate the learned content, thereby fostering active participation in their treatment process. Studies have demonstrated that this approach significantly improves information retention, particularly among individuals with low health literacy. Complementary therapies have been shown to be effective in managing common postoperative complications such as pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances following TKA. Breathing exercises, in particular, have been found to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. Teaching breathing exercises through the Teach-Back method may contribute positively to the rehabilitation process by promoting both physical and psychological well-being. One such technique, the 4-7-8 breathing exercise, has been evidenced to aid in reducing anxiety and enhancing sleep quality. This technique involves inhaling for four seconds, holding the breath for seven seconds, and exhaling for eight seconds. By optimizing oxygen intake and facilitating the expulsion of carbon dioxide, this practice supports physiological and psychological relaxation. This study aims to evaluate the effects of 4-7-8 breathing exercises taught using the Teach-Back method on pain, anxiety, and sleep quality in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who are conscious and oriented,
• Able to communicate,
• Age 65 and over,
• No cognitive-mental problems,
• Standard Mini Mental Test (SMMT) score of 24 and above,
• Have not attended a course on breathing exercises and yoga before,
• Patients who agree to participate in the study verbally and in writing

Exclusion criteria

• Unconscious,
• Unable to communicate,
• Under 65 years of age