Three Distraction Methods for Pain Reduction During Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is one of the endoscopic procedures used for the diagnostic and interventional procedures of the intestines. Compared to other radiological imaging methods, the most important advantage of colonoscopy is that it can be used to evaluate symptoms and complaints as well as to obtain a biopsy when a differential diagnosis is needed. In recent years, therefore, colonoscopy has been recognized as the gold standard for colon cancer screening. Most patients consider colonoscopy a painful and uncomfortable procedure. Studies revealed that patients experience moderate anxiety during the colonoscopy procedure. The reflex spasm resulting from stimulation of the colon in order to obtain a better image during colonoscopy, and acute distension resulting from flatulence may cause patients to experience pain during and after the procedure. Studies have shown that patients experience pain and anxiety during the colonoscopy procedure. The pain and anxiety that patients experience is not only related to the procedure, but also to the stress of the likelihood of getting cancer over time. Performing colonoscopy under sedation is widely used in clinical practice. However, sedation increases complications associated with colonoscopy, and has potential risks, such as hypoxemia, hypoventilation, aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction. Different drug regimens are used to manage pain during colonoscopy; however, the optimal regime is still debated. In recent years, in addition to pharmacological methods, non-pharmacological methods such as distraction applications such as music and virtual reality have been used to reduce anxiety and pain during the colonoscopy procedure.There are randomized controlled studies showing that simple distraction methods used during the colonoscopy procedure reduce pain and anxiety.Although there are few studies comparing the effectiveness of multiple simple distraction methods such as music, stress ball, and video on pain and anxiety during painful procedures, there are no studies in the literature comparing the effects of three different distraction methods during the colonoscopy procedure. The study was divided into three stages; (1) before; (2) during; and (3) after colonoscopy. Patient's hemodynamics parameters, including systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, were measured about 5 to 10 min before, during and within 10 min after the colonoscopy procedure was complete.

All of the patients who participated in the study underwent the standard protocol used in the Endoscopy Unit of our institution. Colonoscopy was performed on patients in al groups without the use of anesthesia. After positioning the patients in the left lateral position for the colonoscopy procedure, and vemcain local anesthetic and vaseline was applied to the anal area before starting colonoscopy using a Fujinon flexible colonoscope. The patients who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to one of four groups: (1) music; (2) stress ball; (3) video or (4) control group. The patients who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to one of four groups: (1) music; (2) stress ball; (3) video or (4) control group.

The music group listened to Acemasiran-type classical Turkish music with a headset from an MP3 player starting at about 10 min before colonoscopy until completion of the procedure. Acemasiran-type music affects the human brain and provides a sense of creativity to people. This musical tone has pain- relieving and antispasmodic The stress ball group was given stress balls which was medium hard and made of high-quality silicone approximately 10 minutes before colonoscopy. The patients in stress ball group were instructed to "squeeze the balls twice after counting up to five" and "repeat until the end of the entire procedure". The patients in the video group allowed to watch a licensed virtual reality application, "A walk on the beach", through an Android mobile phone placed in Cardboard Super Flex Goggles, started 10 minute before the colonoscopy until the procedure was completed. Standard colonoscopy was performed on the patients in the control group, without any additional intervention.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who underwent colonoscopy without anesthesia
• Patients who were over 18 years of age
• Patients who did not have vision problems
• Patients who did not have hearing problems
• Patients who did not have cognitive problems

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who underwent colonoscopy with anesthesia
• Patients who were under 18 years of age
• Patients who have vision problems
• Patients who have hearing problems
• Patients who have cognitive problems