Clinical Research Directory

Virtual Reality (VR) Based Relaxation for Nausea and Comfort in Pregnancy

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a virtual reality (VR)-based visual relaxation intervention on nausea and vomiting severity, sleep quality, and comfort in pregnant women. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms during pregnancy and may negatively affect women's quality of life and overall well-being. Non-pharmacological interventions such as VR-based relaxation may provide a safe and effective alternative to improve these symptoms. In this randomized controlled study, pregnant women will be assigned to either an intervention group receiving VR-based relaxation or a control group receiving standard care. The outcomes will be assessed using validated measurement tools for nausea and vomiting severity, sleep quality, and comfort. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to improving maternal comfort and supporting non-invasive care approaches during pregnancy.

Comfort Intervention in PICU Children

This randomized controlled trial evaluates a family-centered comfort intervention for children hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit. The intervention consists of listening to the mother's voice, environmental light regulation, and use of a weighted blanket, delivered in addition to routine nursing care. Outcomes include child comfort, anxiety, fear, and sleep parameters, as well as parental anxiety and satisfaction with care. The study will determine whether the intervention improves child and parent outcomes compared with routine care.

Comfort Care Bundle

Intensive care units (ICUs) are specialized units where numerous complex treatment and care procedures are applied. In these units, critically ill patients are exposed to stressful conditions and experience significant pain and other discomforts stemming from multiple internal and external factors that can alter their quality of life and trigger symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These discomforts can have various short-term or long-term consequences for patients after discharge from the ICU, such as anxiety and/or depression or PTSD, which can affect their quality of life. Therefore, knowing the negative factors affecting patient comfort in the ICU, as well as measuring patient comfort and eliminating or reducing these factors through comfort care, is crucial in reducing morbidity and mortality rates in patients. It is noteworthy that there is no specific care package in the literature aimed at improving ICU-specific comfort. Accordingly, this study aims to develop a "Comfort Care Package" to improve the comfort level of ICU patients. The research population will consist of all patients aged 18-65 years admitted to the intensive care units of Bursa City Hospital. This study will test the effect of the developed "Comfort Care Package" on the comfort level and physiological parameters of 88 ICU patients (control group=44 and study group=44) who meet the inclusion criteria and whose data were calculated using the G\*Power 3.1 program. The study will begin with the collection of data from the control group. This group will receive routine ICU care. The study group will receive the Comfort Care Package. It is anticipated that the ICU-specific comfort care package developed within the scope of this study will make significant contributions to the creation of nursing care plans aimed at increasing the comfort levels of critically ill individuals. Therefore, in patients with improved comfort, targeted recovery outcomes may increase, mortality rates may decrease, and thus public health may be sustained.

The Effect of Laughter Yoga in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of laughter yoga on self-management skills and comfort levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Mandala Painting During Chemotherapy

In addition to managing drug side effects that arise during cancer treatment, maintaining the patient's psychosocial well-being is also very important. Therefore, the aim of this project is to examine the effect of mandala painting during chemotherapy on anxiety, nausea, and comfort levels. This project aims to reduce the negative effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, anxiety, and decreased comfort, by distracting the patient's attention through the non-invasive and non-pharmacological practice of mandala coloring in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Mandala painting is a distraction and positive focus practice. A limited number of studies conducted on cancer patients have shown that it reduces distress and improves psychological well-being. However, no study in the literature has comprehensively addressed the symptoms experienced by patients during chemotherapy, such as anxiety, nausea, intense stress, and impaired comfort. The research will be conducted on patients undergoing chemotherapy for the first time, and patients in the experimental group will engage in mandala coloring for at least 30 minutes. Data obtained from assessments conducted before and after chemotherapy will be compared with control group data. This project will provide a more comprehensive assessment of the effect of mandala painting, a non-pharmacological intervention, on the negative symptoms of patients undergoing chemotherapy for the first time. In addition to its scientific contribution, it is believed that effective symptom management can contribute to patients' well-being. Furthermore, if nausea can be controlled, the need for antiemetics during treatment can be reduced. This will also contribute to reducing unwanted drug effects and lowering costs.

Effect of Visualized Meditation on Anxiety, Pain, and Comfort in Patients Undergoing Endoscopy

Endoscopy is one of the most frequently performed procedures for the early diagnosis and treatment of many diseases and plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal disorders. Sometimes, endoscopy may be the only option for detecting certain diseases of the stomach and larynx. However, for many patients, endoscopy is considered an invasive, highly painful, and extremely uncomfortable procedure. Furthermore, anxiety and fear felt before the procedure can cause physical and emotional discomfort, disrupt patient comfort, and cause pain.

Effects of Hot Sacral Massage and Shower Application With Partner Support on Labor

This study was designed to determine the effect of warm sacral massage with cherry pits and showering with partner support on perceived labor pain, birth experience, and birth comfort. A total of 150 pregnant women, 50 in each group, were planned to be included in the study. Volunteers who agreed to participate in the study were expected to have spontaneous vaginal delivery, with an ultrasound-estimated fetal weight between 2500-4000 grams, a single fetus in cephalic presentation, at term (between 37-42 weeks of gestation), in the active phase of labor (4 cm cervical dilation), primiparous women who did not receive analgesia or anesthesia during the first stage of labor and who did not have any skin disease or open wound that would prevent massage or showering. Pregnant women participating in the study will be randomly divided into three groups. The massage group will receive massage twice during the first stage of labor for at least 20 minutes, either standing or sitting, using a bag filled with cherry pits on the sacral region (the lumbar region including your tailbone). Pregnant women in the shower group will receive a shower with water at a temperature between 32-37°C for at least 20 minutes twice during the first stage of labor, either standing or sitting with partner support, according to their preference. Pregnant women in the control group will not receive any intervention other than the routine hospital protocol (midwifery care). After providing information about the study to the pregnant women, written informed consent will be obtained. The pain scale (VAS) will be administered to women in the shower group, massage group, and control group by a midwife working in the delivery room who is not involved in the study. The VAS will be administered four times during labor to pregnant women in the massage group and shower group, and four times to pregnant women in the control group. Before transfer to the ward after delivery, all participants in the groups will be administered the "Birth Experience Scale (BES) and Birth Comfort Scale (BCS)" by a midwife who is not involved in the study and is working in the delivery room that day.

Effect of Developmental Care on Comfort, Growth, and Oral Feeding Transition in Preterm Infants

This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of kangaroo care combined with maternal voice and fetal positioning on the comfort, growth, and transition to full oral feeding in preterm infants aged 30 to 34 weeks gestation. After ethical approval, eligible infants in the neonatal clinic will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group receiving kangaroo care, maternal voice, and fetal positioning, or a control group receiving only fetal positioning in the incubator. The intervention involves daily one-hour kangaroo care sessions with maternal storytelling, followed by positioning in the lateral fetal posture, continuing at least five days per week until infants achieve full oral feeding. Infant comfort will be assessed regularly using the Neonatal Comfort Behavior Scale before feeding, immediately after kangaroo care, and after fetal positioning. Growth parameters, including weight, length, and head circumference, will be measured and recorded on kangaroo care days. The control group will receive routine fetal positioning without kangaroo care, with identical measurements taken. The study aims to determine whether kangaroo care combined with maternal voice and fetal positioning improves infant comfort, supports growth, and facilitates the transition to full oral feeding in preterm newborns.

Enhancing the Emergency Department Experience for Older Adults: Study Protocol for the Implementation of a Comfort Menu and Cart

Introduction: The aging of the population is a global phenomenon, with projections indicating a significant increase in the proportion of individuals aged 65 years and older by 2050. This demographic shift requires adapting emergency department (ED) services to meet the specific demands of older patients, who often present with multiple comorbidities and face challenges such as sensory and cognitive difficulties. EDs, traditionally designed for acute illness and injury management, may not be adequately equipped to meet the unique needs of this vulnerable population. This can result in suboptimal patient experiences, prolonged ED stays, increased hospitalizations, and poorer outcomes. Methods: This study protocol outlines a before-and-after study to evaluate the impact of implementing a comfort menu and cart on the experience and outcomes of older patients treated in the ED. The study will be conducted in the ED of Hospital Sírio-Libanês (HSL), a tertiary private hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Patients aged 65 and older who presented to the ED will be eligible for inclusion. Participants will be recruited in two phases: pre-intervention and post-implementation of the comfort menu and cart. Data will be collected through patient and staff interviews, chart reviews, and a 30-day follow-up interview. Patient experience, staff experience, length of hospital stays, hospital costs, ED readmissions, falls, delirium incidence, quality of life, functional status, cognitive performance, and mortality will be assessed. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval for this study has been granted by the Institutional Review Board of HSL. All participants, or their legal representatives for those with cognitive impairment, will provide written informed consent before any study procedures are initiated. The consent process has been designed keeping the study hypothesis blind by not revealing the outcomes that will be measured after the comfort cart intervention. The results will be shared with the academic community through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at relevant conferences to inform future clinical practice and research. Expected Results: A positive impact of implementing the comfort menu and cart in the ED is expected on patient-centered outcomes. Improvements in the experience of older patients and medical and multidisciplinary staff are anticipated, and improvements in other exploratory outcomes, such as length of hospital stay, hospital costs, readmissions, falls, delirium incidence, quality of life, functionality, and cognitive performance, will be explored.

The Effect of Nursing Pillow Use on Nipple Pain and Comfort

Many factors influence breastfeeding. Nipple pain and comfort are among these factors and can negatively impact the breastfeeding process. A nursing pillow can relieve nipple pain and increase comfort. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of breastfeeding pillow use on nipple pain and comfort.

Education Effect on Comfort and Anxiety in 5-FU Elastomeric Pump Therapy

Cancer is a chronic disease with an increasing global prevalence and high mortality rates. Surgical interventions, radiotherapy, and especially chemotherapy are among the main treatment modalities. Although chemotherapy prolongs survival, it also causes serious physical and psychological side effects. The prolonged and repetitive nature of chemotherapy necessitates safe vascular access, for which port catheters are frequently preferred. These subcutaneously implanted devices reduce the risk of complications and offer significant advantages in outpatient treatment settings. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), commonly used in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, requires prolonged intravenous infusion to be effective. In this context, elastomeric pumps (EPs) are portable, user-friendly, non-electronic medical devices that allow for the continuous and controlled administration of 5-FU. EPs enable patients to continue chemotherapy at home, reducing hospital stays and enhancing both patient satisfaction and quality of life. However, environmental factors such as temperature, viscosity, and gravity may cause variations in flow rate, posing potential safety risks. Therefore, nurses must be competent in the use of EPs, patient education, and management of possible complications. The use of EPs not only affects treatment efficacy but also has a significant impact on the comfort levels and anxiety of cancer patients. Home-based chemotherapy with EPs helps patients cope with uncertainty, fear, and stress associated with the diagnosis and treatment process. Delivering care outside the hospital environment reduces psychological burden and supports the individual's autonomy and social life. Thus, the wider implementation of EPs in 5-FU treatment and the active involvement of nurses in this process contribute substantially to both treatment outcomes and the overall patient experience. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of education provided to chemotherapy patients receiving 5-FU treatment via elastomeric pumps on their comfort and anxiety levels. Hypotheses: H1: There is a significant difference in comfort levels between patients educated about 5-FU treatment administered via elastomeric pumps and those receiving standard education. H2: There is a significant difference in anxiety levels between patients educated about 5-FU treatment administered via elastomeric pumps and those receiving standard education. H3: Certain variables have a significant effect on the comfort levels of chemotherapy patients receiving 5-FU treatment via elastomeric pumps. H4: Certain variables have a significant effect on the anxiety levels of chemotherapy patients receiving 5-FU treatment via elastomeric pumps. The study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial. At study initiation, participants in both the intervention and control groups will complete the Patient Information Form, General Comfort Questionnaire-Short Form, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Informed Consent Form during a face-to-face interview. Participants in the intervention group will additionally receive a 15-20 minute training session on the use of the elastomeric pump with 5-FU, based on a patient education booklet developed from current literature, delivered through verbal explanations and visual materials. The control group will follow standard institutional procedures without supplementary training. Follow-up assessments, including the General Comfort Questionnaire-Short Form and Beck Anxiety Inventory, will be re-administered to all participants during face-to-face interviews one month after baseline.

Effect of Earplugs and Eye Masks Used After Orthopedic Surgery on Comfort and Quality of Recovery

This research will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of earplugs and eye masks used after orthopedic surgery on comfort and quality of recovery. This study is a single-center, parallel-group, open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial. This study will be conducted with 60 patients who underwent orthopedic surgery between June 2025 and October 2025. Participants will be randomized into two equal groups as the intervention group (n=30) and the control group (n=30). The patients in the experimental group will be administered the "Informed Consent Form" and the "Patient Introduction Form" after obtaining permission before surgery. Patients will be given an eye mask and earplugs on the nights following surgery and will be ensured to use them correctly. The "General Comfort Scale" and the "Quality of Recovery Questionnaire (Qor-40)" will be administered 24 and 48 hours after surgery. The patients in the control group will also be administered the "Informed Consent Form" and the "Patient Introduction Form" after obtaining permission before surgery. The "General Comfort Scale" and the "Quality of Recovery Questionnaire (Qor-40)" will be administered 24 and 48 hours after surgery. At the end of the study, the difference between the groups will be evaluated. In the analysis of this study, descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk test, Chi-square test, t-test in independent groups, ANOVA test in repeated measures will be used. The main questions it aims to answer: Do earplugs and eye masks used after orthopedic surgery have an effect on comfort level? Do earplugs and eye masks used after orthopedic surgery have an effect on the quality of recovery?

The Effect of Two Different Bathing Methods on Vital Signs and Comfort in PICU:Bath Trial

The study was planned to be conducted and completed within 6 months after ethics committee approval was obtained. The study is a prospective, quasi-experimental study. The population of the study will consist of children who are hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of SBÜ. İzmir Dr. Behçet Uz Pediatric Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital. The vital signs and comfort of the children of the parents who agreed to participate in the study will be measured before bathing (baseline) and care will be taken to ensure that they are similar in both groups. Children in the study will not be randomized. In the routine operation of the clinic, traditional bathing is performed once a week and wipe bathing is performed once every two days. Wipe bathing is performed at 36-37 degrees water with 10 ml of chlorhexidine in 200 ml of water. Traditional bathing is also performed with 36-37 degrees water in bed or in the bathtub. In the study, no intervention will be performed and the outcomes will be measured and compared with each other before and after both bathing procedures. Physiologic parameters including respiratory rate, pulse rate, oxygen saturation and comfort levels of newborns just before, during and after the bathing process (1st and 5th minute) will be evaluated and compared with each other. To avoid bias in the study, all bathing procedures will be performed by Specialist Nurse Esat Erdem GÖKPINAR. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

The Effect of Parental Presence on the Child's Comfort and Physiologic Parameters in PICU

The study was planned to be conducted and completed within 6 months after ethics committee approval was obtained. The research is a prospective, quasi-experimental study. The population of the study will consist of children hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of SBU, Izmir Dr. Behçet Uz Pediatric Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital. Randomization of children will be done to determine which children's data will be followed on the relevant visit day. Physiologic parameters including respiratory rate, pulse rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, blood pressure and comfort levels of the children will be evaluated just before, during and after the parental visit (1st minute and 5th minute) and compared with those before the parental visit. All observations will be made by the same nurse to avoid bias in the study.

Effect of TENS on Bladder Tenesmus-related Pain and Patient Comfort After Urinary Surgery

Bladder tenesmu is defined as the need to urinate despite the person urinating and is associated with various causes such as bladder spasm, infection, stones, catheters. Catheters used in urinary surgeries can cause various complications, especially pain and discomfort. There is no sufficient study in the literature on bladder tenesmus caused by mechanical interactions related to urinary catheters, and this situation negatively affects patient comfort. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an effective method of reducing pain with low-voltage electrical current. However, there are no studies on the application of TENS in the management of symptoms associated with bladder tenesmus after urinary surgery. This study aims to investigate the effect of TENS application on bladder tenesmus-related pain and patient comfort in the early postoperative period after urinary surgery.

Enhancing Patient Experience of Pain and Sleep Through Non-Pharmacological Strategies

Comfort can be a physical sensation, a psychological state, or both simultaneously . Patient comfort in an inpatient setting is a subjective state that varies from each individual based on different factors and situations. The Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (R-CSQ) and the Revised American Pain Society Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R) are tools that have been developed to assess patient satisfaction and comfort in the hospital setting. The R-CSQ is a scale used to measure different aspects of sleep quality. This scale allows the patient to rate their quality and amount of sleep on a scale of 0-100. The R-CSQ allows the patient to rate six different components of their sleep, including sleep depth, sleep latency, awakenings, returning to sleep, sleep quality, and noise. The APS-POQ-R can be utilized to measure perceived levels of pain in patients. The APS-POQ-R scale is a validated scale that is used in the hospital setting with reliable and consistent results. This scale measures five aspects of a patient's perception and experiences with pain and a sixth aspect including nonpharmacological interventions. We propose that if patients implement interventions that promote sleep and decrease pain, comfort will be improved.

The Effects of Kegel Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises on Urinary Retention and Comfort Levels

This study was planned as a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of Kegel pelvic floor muscle exercises on urinary retention and comfort levels of patients after lumbar disc herniation surgery.

The Effect of Book Reading on Comfort, Hope, Anxiety and Vital Signs of Intensive Care Unit Patients

This study was planned to investigate the effect of reading aloud books on comfort, hope, anxiety and vital signs in patients hospitalized in intensive care unit. This study was designed as a randomized controlled clinical trial. Data will be collected by using the Descriptive Characteristics Questionnaire, General Comfort Scale, Dispositional Hope Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Vital Signs Monitoring Form.

The Effect of Video Streaming With Virtual Reality Before Coronary Angiography

This study was planned as a randomized controlled experimental study to examine the effects of virtual reality video on anxiety, comfort and patient satisfaction before coronary angiography. Data will be collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Early Postoperative Comfort Scale, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for patient satisfaction and pain, Vital Signs Follow-up Form and Complication Follow-up Form.

Massage for Newborns Receiving Nasal CPAP

One of the most frequently required treatments for respiratory distress in neonatal intensive care is continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) support through the nose. NCPAP application has many advantages but also disadvantages and complications. Gastric-abdominal distension, which is a complication of NCPAP application, is caused by gas entering the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. Feeding intolerance may develop in the newborn due to abdominal distension. In recent studies, it has been determined that non-pharmacological methods and supportive developmental care practices used to increase the comfort and reduce pain and stress of babies who experience painful procedures such as NCPAP application and who are exposed to the stressful neonatal intensive care unit environment are effective in increasing comfort and reducing pain and stress. These practices include therapeutic touch, mother's voice, fetal position, white noise, lullaby, wrapping and massage. In the literature, a quasi-experimental study examining the effect of massage (Field massage technique) on the respiration, heart rate and oxygen saturation of 28-34 week old newborns with respiratory distress syndrome who received nasal CPAP showed that massage had no significant effect on oxygen saturation, but respiration and heart rate decreased after the massage. has been determined. There are studies in the literature examining the effects of therapeutic touch, mother's voice, fetal position, white noise, lullaby and wrapping in order to increase the comfort of newborns receiving nasal CPAP, reduce stress and pain, and prolong sleep time. However, no research has been found in the literature examining the effects of massage on the stress, comfort and health parameters of newborns receiving nasal CPAP.