Using a Stress Ball During Chemotherapy to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Vital Signs in Adults with Gastrointestinal Cancer

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether using a stress ball during chemotherapy can help reduce anxiety, fear, and changes in vital signs in patients with gastrointestinal system cancers. This randomized controlled study includes adult patients undergoing chemotherapy, who often experience emotional and physiological stress during treatment. The study aims to provide evidence on whether a simple, non-drug method like stress ball squeezing can improve emotional well-being and physical stability during chemotherapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups the stress ball intervention group or the routine care group. Those in the stress ball group will squeeze a medium-firm stress ball for 15 minutes starting at the beginning of their chemotherapy session, guided to inhale while squeezing and exhale while releasing the ball. The control group will receive routine chemotherapy care without additional interventions. Participants will have their anxiety and fear levels measured before and immediately after chemotherapy using validated tools. Vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and oxygen saturation will also be recorded at these times. The study will compare these measures between both groups to assess the impact of stress ball use during chemotherapy. The total duration of participation covers the chemotherapy session with these before-and-after assessments.

Stress Ball Use During Chemotherapy in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients