The Effect of Breathing Exercises on Pain, Anxiety, Dyspnea, and Insomnia in Patients Undergoing Lung Surgery.

Surgical treatment is carried out with the aim of reducing, halting the progression of, or treating certain pathological conditions in the human body by removing some tissue or organs from the body. Wedge resection is considered an effective method for the treatment of lung cancer. The wedge resection method is utilized in both malignant and non-malignant pulmonary pathologies (such as bronchiectasis, aspergilloma, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, tuberculosis, fungal infections, inflammatory pseudotumors, hydatid cyst, and benign masses). Following surgical procedures such as VATS and wedge resection, side effects and complications such as atelectasis, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, prolonged air leakage, chylothorax, sepsis, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, empyema, bronchopleural fistula, pain, anxiety, dyspnea, fatigue, and insomnia can occur.Non-pharmacological methods are observed to increase comfort and control in patients, thereby enhancing their quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions such as music therapy, hot or cold therapy, hypnosis, aromatherapy, massage, progressive relaxation exercises, deep breathing exercises, pursed lip breathing, yoga, and meditation can be employed in the management of postoperative symptoms such as pain, anxiety, dyspnea, insomnia, and fatigue. Studies involving breathing exercises have shown that they reduce anxiety and pain scores after exercise. Alternate nostril breathing, a yoga practice, is considered one of the best breathing exercises for health and fitness. It has positive effects on dyspnea, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders. Breathing exercises aim to improve individuals' quality of life and mitigate the effects of the disease, providing inexpensive and side-effect-free practices.Nurses should empower individuals to better manage symptoms such as experiencing less pain, reduced anxiety, alleviation or reduction of dyspnea, insomnia, fatigue, and other symptoms following surgical procedures. No study has been found that examines the effect of alternative nostril breathing exercises on pain, anxiety, dyspnea, fatigue, and insomnia symptoms in patients undergoing lung surgery. Our study aims to contribute to the literature by evaluating the effect of breathing exercises on pain, anxiety, dyspnea, and insomnia in patients undergoing lung resection and VATS procedures.Therefore, this study is planned to determine the effect of breathing exercises on pain, anxiety, dyspnea, and insomnia in patients undergoing lung resection and VATS procedures in a public hospital.

Inclusion criteria

• Having undergone VATS or wedge resection surgery,
• Having orientation to place and time,
• Being communicative,
• Having no visual or hearing impairment.

Exclusion criteria

• Having a mental health issue that would hinder communication,
• Having any nasal pathology.