The Effect of Stress Ball on Recovery Quality and Hospital Discharge

The stress ball, one of the distraction methods, is an effective technique for ensuring cognitive focus. It has been observed that the stress ball method is used to reduce patients' anxiety and pain. Squeezing a stress ball during a surgical procedure allows patients to have direct control over the object, enhancing their feelings of empowerment. In this way, it positively impacts anxiety and patient satisfaction without interfering with the surgical process. In the study by Yanes et al., the effects of the stress ball and hand-holding on pain, anxiety, and satisfaction were evaluated during skin cancer surgery performed under local anesthesia. Although anxiety was observed to decrease in all groups, no significant difference was found between the groups regarding pain and anxiety. It was noted that nearly all participants were very satisfied. The use of the stress ball appears to help reduce anxiety in anxious patients prior to the procedure. In a study conducted by Kasar et al. on hemodialysis patients, the effects of stress ball usage on stress, vital signs, and comfort levels were investigated. While the use of the stress ball did not affect vital signs and comfort, it demonstrated a positive impact on stress. In a study investigating the effects of distraction methods used during cystoscopy on pain, anxiety, and satisfaction, it was found that anxiety levels post-procedure were lower in the intervention groups (music, video, and stress ball) compared to the control group, while satisfaction levels were higher . Another randomized controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of three different non-pharmacological methods (coughing technique, spirometer blowing, and squeezing a stress ball) in reducing pain during intravenous catheterization. It was reported that the average pain levels in the coughing, spirometer, and stress ball groups were lower compared to the control group . In a study examining the effectiveness of distraction methods for pain and anxiety management during invasive venous surgical procedures, it was indicated that pain and anxiety levels were significantly lower in the interaction with nurses and stress ball group . In a study on managing dental anxiety with the application of a stress ball, no significant difference was found between the anxiety scores of patients who used the stress ball and those who did not. Similarly, in another study investigating the effects of distraction methods during lithotripsy, no significant difference was observed in pain and anxiety scores between the control and intervention groups (music and stress ball) .

Inclusion criteria

Will be applied to patients who are over 18 years old. Have no hearing or vision problems. Can read and write, and can communicate effectively.

Exclusion criteria

Patients under 18 years of age. Patients with communication problems.