Effects of White Noise and Earplugs on Patients' Physiological Parameters, Pain, Comfort and Procedure Satisfaction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Coronary Angiography (CAG) is an invasive method used in the diagnosis and treatment of CAD. Invasive methods such as coronary angiography cause pain. The sympathetic nervous system is stimulated and vital functions can be affected by the increased stress level of the pain experienced. In the angiography laboratory, patients are awake, aware of everything, and can easily hear the sounds of the monitor and the comments and conversations of the healthcare team. This auditory exposure can further trigger the patient's fear and anxiety and increase their pain. Increased anxiety can lead to an increase in the intensity of perceived pain and a decrease in pain tolerance. In addition to anxiety, catastrophizing such as fear of death can also be a means for disability and complications. In the literature, it is recommended to use nonpharmacological methods together with pharmacological treatment to increase pain tolerance and improve patient comfort and satisfaction in patients affected by invasive procedures. Nonpharmacological methods, unlike pharmacological agents, do not cause any harm to patients. It can help to keep physiological parameters such as blood pressure, respiration and pulse rate at normal levels and to increase comfort and satisfaction with the procedure. Sound therapy, which is a non-pharmacological method, turns the person's attention from negative stimuli to positive and hopeful feelings and can reduce stress, anxiety and pain. Non-pharmacological methods such as white noise therapy and using earplugs that prevent sound permeability can be used to distract the patient's attention from the source of stress and focus on other thoughts. It is suggested that patients exposed to 50 to 55 dB white noise experience pain relief and have an effect on heart rate and oxygen saturation (12). As a result of our literature review, no studies were found where white noise was appl