Effects of Heat Application on Pain, Anxiety, and Comfort Levels of Patients Undergoing Cystoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cystoscopy causes pain, anxiety, and dissatisfaction in patients and leads to increased discomfort. Therefore, it is helpful to use pharmacological and evidence-based complementary alternative medicine methods together for pain, anxiety, and comfort management during the cystoscopy procedure. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of heat application on patients' pain, anxiety, and comfort levels during cystoscopy. METHODS: This study was conducted as a two-parallel group randomized controlled trial, from November 2023 to June 2024. SETTING: The study was conducted in the cystoscopy unit of a state hospital located in Western Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: The study sample consisted of 62 patients. INTERVENTION: The patients were randomly assigned to two groups using a computer program (www.randomizer.org): Group 1 (control group) and Group 2 (intervention group). The patients in the intervention group underwent heat application in the cystoscopy room. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected using the 'Patient Information Form', 'Visual Analog Scale', 'Data Recording Form', 'State Anxiety Inventory', and 'Shortened General Comfort Scale'. While the data were analyzed, descriptive statistical methods, chi-square analysis, independent samples t test, dependent samples t test, and analysis of variance test were used. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the mean scores obtained from the VAS during and after the intervention, but there was no statistically significant difference between the scores obtained from the overall State Anxiety Inventory and Shortened General Comfort Scale and their subscales before and after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that the heat application to patients during cystoscopy is effective in reducing pain. KEYWORDS: anxiety, comfort, cystoscopy, heat application, pain, complementary and alternative medicine.