Breathing Exercises, Valsalva Maneuver Reduce Pain in Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization: Randomized Trial

This study aimed to determine the effects of breathing exercises and the Valsalva maneuver on invasive pain associated with peripheral intravenous catheterization (PIVC).

This randomized controlled trial was conducted between March and June 2025 with three groups: Valsalva group (n = 46), breathing exercise group (n = 46), and control group (n = 46). Data were collected using the "Nurse Descriptive Information Form" and the "Visual Analog Scale (VAS)."

Pain levels during and after peripheral intravenous catheterization were significantly lower in the Valsalva maneuver and breathing exercise groups compared to the control group (p < .001, p < .001; η² = 0.195, η² = 0.169, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the Valsalva manoeuvre and breathing exercise groups in terms of pain reduction (p > .05).

The findings indicate that the Valsalva manoeuvre and breathing exercises are effective non-pharmacological techniques for reducing pain during peripheral intravenous catheterization.

Simple, non-pharmacological interventions such as the Valsalva maneuver and breathing exercises can effectively reduce pain during peripheral intravenous catheterization. Integrating these easy-to-apply methods into nursing practice may enhance patient comfort and support patient-centered care.

This study adhered to the CONSORT guidelines for non-pharmacological randomized clinical trials.

This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with registration number NCT06872671.