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NCT Number: NCT06755970

ICOUGH Bundle and Postoperative Pain and Nausea After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This study will use a randomized controlled experimental research design. The population of the study will consist of all adult patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the General Surgery Clinic of Atatürk University Research Hospital between December 2024 and September 2025. The data will be collected using a Descriptive Information Form and the Visual Analogue Scale. The research has received institutional approval and ethics committee approval. The study will be conducted with collaboration from healthcare professionals in the clinic after they have been informed. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in the study after being approached one day before surgery. Oral and written consent will be obtained from those who volunteer and agree to participate. The data will be analyzed using SPSS for Windows 22 software.

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Key information

Conditions

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ICOUGH Nausea Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ataturk University

Erzurum, 25300, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy, patients may experience pain at the incision site, internal organ pain, and shoulder pain. Shoulder pain occurs due to the irritation of the diaphragm peritoneum by dissolved CO2 gas, causing the diaphragm to stretch, which stimulates the phrenic nerve and results in shoulder pain in these patients. This shoulder pain is typically felt up to 72 hours or three days after surgery.

Shoulder pain in these patients is typically felt for up to 72 hours or three days after surgery. Pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy can also produce vagal stimulation, which can lead to nausea and vomiting. In this context, the removal of CO2 is essential for managing post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy CO2-related pain.

Given the relatively common and costly occurrence of postoperative respiratory complications, various protocols have been used to reduce the risk of these complications. One such protocol is the ICOUGH (Incentive spirometry, Coughing and deep breathing, Oral care, Patient understanding of the interventions, Getting out of bed and Head of bed elevation) bundle, developed by the Boston University School of Medicine in 2012 to reduce postoperative respiratory complications. This respiratory care bundle improves oxygenation and CO2 elimination, thus increasing the patient's recovery rate, reducing the amount of analgesics used, and shortening the time to return to daily activities.

The ICOUGH bundle, which is among the important independent responsibilities of perioperative nurses, helps reduce shoulder pain and accelerate postoperative recovery by increasing CO2 elimination and oxygenation. The use of non-pharmacological methods for pain relief in the postoperative period strengthens the nurse's role in pain management. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of the ICOUGH bundle on shoulder pain, abdominal pain, and nausea after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Those who agree to participate in the study and volunteer
  • Aged 18 and above
  • Undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery under general anesthesia
  • Those without physical or mental disabilities, limitations, or conditions that would prevent them from performing respiratory exercises (such as the use of medications affecting respiration, conditions requiring oxygen therapy, etc.)
  • Those whose cognitive level is suitable for the application of scales
  • Patients without communication problems will be included in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Those whose hemodynamic values are not stable after the surgical intervention
  • Those who develop any complications such as severe bleeding, nausea, vomiting, etc., after surgery
  • Patients with acute or chronic lung diseases
  • Patients who voluntarily wish to withdraw from the study will not be included in the study
  • Required postoperative mechanical ventilation

Treatment and study plan

ICOUGH

Procedure

After the patient has recovered from postoperative anesthesia and their hemodynamic values have stabilized, the ICOUGH bundle applications mentioned above will be carried out. The patient's pain and nausea levels will be recorded for a period of 24 hours.

Postoperative pain and nausea will be assessed with the help of data collectors, using a numerical rating scale at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after surgery.

Considering that postoperative respiratory complications are relatively common and costly, various studies have been conducted to explore ways to reduce the risk of their occurrence. One of these protocols is the ICOUGH bundle, which stands for Incentive Spirometry, Coughing and Deep Breathing, Oral Care, Patient Understanding of the Interventions, Getting Out of Bed, and Head of Bed Elevation.

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: 2nd hour after surgery

    Patients are asked to rate their pain level on a horizontal line between 0 and 10. 0 represents no pain, and 10 represents unbearable pain. Due to its simplicity, validity, and reliability, it is used as the most suitable tool to assess pain intensity. It can be used to evaluate both pain and nausea.

  2. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: 4nd hour after surgery

    Patients are asked to rate their pain level on a horizontal line between 0 and 10. 0 represents no pain, and 10 represents unbearable pain. Due to its simplicity, validity, and reliability, it is used as the most suitable tool to assess pain intensity. It can be used to evaluate both pain and nausea.

  3. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: 8nd hour after surgery

    Patients are asked to rate their pain level on a horizontal line between 0 and 10. 0 represents no pain, and 10 represents unbearable pain. Due to its simplicity, validity, and reliability, it is used as the most suitable tool to assess pain intensity. It can be used to evaluate both pain and nausea.

  4. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: 12nd hour after surgery

    Patients are asked to rate their pain level on a horizontal line between 0 and 10. 0 represents no pain, and 10 represents unbearable pain. Due to its simplicity, validity, and reliability, it is used as the most suitable tool to assess pain intensity. It can be used to evaluate both pain and nausea.

  5. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

    Time frame: 24nd hour after surgery

    Patients are asked to rate their pain level on a horizontal line between 0 and 10. 0 represents no pain, and 10 represents unbearable pain. Due to its simplicity, validity, and reliability, it is used as the most suitable tool to assess pain intensity. It can be used to evaluate both pain and nausea.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ataturk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of the ICOUGH Bundle Applied Under Nurse Leadership on Pain and Nausea After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

Acronym: ICOUGHBundle

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 1, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 21, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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