N/A N=93 Randomized Double-blind Supportive Care

The Effect of Vibration and Cold on Pain and Anxiety Associated With Chest Tube Removal Following CABG

Pain, Procedural · Pain, Postoperative · Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery · Chest Tubes

Bottom Line

View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06217263 ↗

Enrolled (actual)

Serious AEs

0.0%

Results posted

Mar 2026

Primary outcome: Primary: Mediastinal Chest Tube Pain — 1.38; 1.76; 1.43; 0.21 score on a scale

Study Design & Population

Study type: Interventional
Phase: N/A
Interventions: Vibration device (Device); Vibration device&Cold application pack (Other)
Age: Adult, Older Adult · 40+ yrs
Sex: All
Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
Primary completion: Jun 2025

Outcome Measures

Outcome	Result	p-value
PRIMARY Mediastinal Chest Tube Pain	1.38; 1.76; 1.43; 0.21; 0.12; 1.50	—
PRIMARY Thoracic Chest Tube Pain	3.34; 3.98; 2.93; 1.01; 0.65; 2.93	—
PRIMARY Anxiety	38.19; 41.16; 39.16; 25.74; 24.68; 50.32	0.001 sig

Summary

Removal of chest tubes after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery can cause severe pain and anxiety, which may negatively affect the recovery process. Integrating non-pharmacological methods into nursing care can help manage pain and anxiety safely and effectively. This study was conducted to examine the effects of vibration therapy and vibration combined with cold application on pain and anxiety during chest tube removal. The study used a partial single-blind, randomized controlled experimental design. The research was carried out between September 2024 and June 2025 in a Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital. A total of 93 patients who met the study criteria and agreed to participate were included. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a vibration group, a vibration plus cold application group, or a control group that received standard care. Pain levels were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and anxiety levels were measured using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I). Measurements were taken six times: before chest tube removal, during the procedure, and after removal. The results showed that vibration therapy significantly reduced pain and anxiety during chest tube removal. Patients who received vibration combined with cold application experienced further reductions in pain and anxiety and showed more stable vital signs. Patients in the vibration-only group reported higher satisfaction with the intervention. In conclusion, vibration therapy is a safe, effective, and feasible nursing intervention for reducing pain and anxiety during chest tube removal after CABG surgery. Adding cold application to vibration enhances the effectiveness of the intervention. Based on these findings, integrating vibration therapy into nursing care is recommended, and combining it with cold application may be considered when clinically appropriate.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Patients who had a chest tube placed for the first time, who already had mediastinal and thoracic chest tubes, who were classified as ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) III or below, who were between 40 and 65 years of age, and who were conscious, oriented, and cooperative were included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with a chest tube in place for more than 72 hours, skin integrity issues around the chest tube or in the area where the procedure will be performed (scarring, laceration, erythema, inflammation, burns, infection), a history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery, a diagnosis of diabetes, a history of thoracotomy, being under the influence of anesthesia or analgesia, the development of complications during or after the surgical procedure, being intubated, presence of cold urticaria, inability to speak Turkish, hearing or vision problems, history of diagnosed psychiatric or mental illness, body mass index of 30 or above, and participation in another clinical trial during the same period were among the exclusion criteria.

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06217263). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.