Enhancing Patient Outcomes: Stress Ball Use as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention in Port Catheterization

The insertion of a port catheter can cause discomfort and distress to cancer patients, which may impair their comfort. The use of distraction techniques, such as stress balls, can help to alleviate pain and stress, thereby enhancing the patient experience. This study aimed to determine the effect of stress ball application on perceived stress, pain, and satisfaction during port catheter needle insertion in cancer patients.

This quasi-randomized controlled experimental study involved 74 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, who were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 37) and the control group (n = 37). Prior to the implementation of the port catheter needle, the demographic and clinical data of the patients were recorded. Subsequently, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was administered as a pre-test to ascertain their stress levels. During the procedure, patients in the intervention group were provided with a stress ball, which they were instructed to squeeze and release for approximately 5-10 min until the port catheter needle was inserted. After the procedure, the satisfaction levels of patients in the intervention group regarding the use of the stress ball were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). As a post-test, VAS was applied to patients in both groups to determine their pain levels, and PSS was applied to evaluate their stress levels. No intervention was made to patients in the control group during the procedure.

While no difference was found between the mean PSS scores of the study groups before the procedure (p = 0.743), a statistically significant difference was found between the groups after the procedure (p = 0.002). The stress levels of the IG, who received stress ball intervention, were lower than those of the CG. A statistically significant difference was found in the mean VAS scores of the groups after the procedure (p = 0.001). The post-test pain score mean of the IG, who received stress ball intervention, was lower than that of the CG. The mean satisfaction level score for the IG concerning the stress ball application during the port catheter needle insertion process was 7.57 ± 1.70.

The utilisation of a stress ball during port catheter insertion is effective in reducing perceived stress and pain levels while also enhancing patient satisfaction.