The Effect of Breathing Exercises on Pain, Anxiety, Dyspnea, and Insomnia in Patients Undergoing Lung Surgery.

Surgical treatment is performed with the aim of reducing, halting the progression of, or treating certain pathological conditions in the human body by removing some tissue or organs from the body. Wedge resection is considered an effective method for the treatment of lung cancer. The wedge resection method is utilized in both malignant and non-malignant pulmonary pathologies (such as bronchiectasis, aspergilloma, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, tuberculosis, fungal infections, inflammatory pseudotumors, hydatid cyst, and benign masses). Following surgical procedures such as Video-Assisted Thorascopic Surgery (VATS) and wedge resection, side effects and complications such as atelectasis, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, prolonged air leakage, chylothorax, sepsis, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, empyema, bronchopleural fistula, pain, anxiety, dyspnea, fatigue, and insomnia can occur. Non-pharmacological methods are observed to increase comfort and control in patients, thereby enhancing their quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions such as music therapy, hot or cold therapy, hypnosis, aromatherapy, massage, progressive relaxation exercises, deep breathing exercises, pursed lip breathing, yoga, and meditation can be employed in the management of postoperative symptoms such as pain, anxiety, dyspnea, insomnia, and fatigue. Studies involving breathing exercises have shown that they reduce anxiety and pain scores after exercise. Alternate nostril breathing, a yoga practice, is considered one of the best breathing exercises for health and fitness. It has positive effects on dyspnea, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders.