Effectiveness of Deep Breathing Technique on Pain Level of School Children during Catheterization

Abstract

Abstract Background: Pediatric medical procedures mostly cause pain and fear among hospitalized children. Many nonpharmacological pain strategies can used to decrease children’s fear and pain in addition to decreasing the burden of medication. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the deep breathing technique on children's pain intensity during urine catheterization procedures, at Children Welfare Teaching Hospital in Baghdad city. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was selected to determine the effects of pain strategies through achieving the manipulation and control group, conducted with a nonprobability (convenience) sample of 60 children of both genders at the age range of 6–12 years, divided into three groups of 20 children in each group. The study was carried out at Children Welfare Teaching Hospitals, from the period October 13, 2021, to July 28, 2022. The numeric Pain Rating Scale was used to assess pain level before and after nursing intervention with three pain management methods that included deep breathing technique, pharmacological, and combination methods. Results: The result of the study revealed that the application of deep breathing techniques, pharmacological, and combination methods were effective in reducing children’s pain at different levels. The deep breathing method has a significant influence on reducing children’s pain. The most effective method to reduce children’s pain was a combination method. Conclusion: This study concludes that the application of all pain management methods in this study was effective in reducing children’s pain at different levels during catheterization. The combination method (pharmacological and nonpharmacological) was most effective in reducing children’s pain. However, the deep breathing method approved its significant influence on children’s pain.