Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Stress Ball Practice During Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed and reliable surgeries among eye diseases. While cataract surgeries were performed under general or local anesthesia in previous years, they are now performed topically. Despite providing conscious sedation with agents such as benzodiazepines and opioids before and during surgery, patients experience pain, anxiety, and discomfort during the surgical procedure. One of the non-pharmacological methods used to relieve acute pain during surgical intervention is stress ball. It is also used to reduce pain and anxiety and increase patient comfort. The stress ball suppresses most of the nerves and muscles directly connected to the brain around the wrist and hand, stimulating nerve and muscle activity. This mechanism reduces the release of stress hormones, regulates blood pressure by providing relaxation and relief, and helps reduce anxiety and acute stress. When literature is examined, it is seen that stress ball application is effective on patients' pain, anxiety, and vital signs; however, no randomized controlled study has been found in which stress ball application was performed during cataract surgery. This study was planned to investigate the effect of stress ball application during cataract surgery on patients' anxiety, pain, and vital signs.