The effect of thinking distraction on anxiety of patients during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thinking distraction on the anxiety severity in patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the ESWL department of Ayatollah Kashani hospital in Shahrekord.

This is a clinical trial study that was conducted in 2018 in 120 patients referred to Ayatollah Keshāni Hospital in Shahrekord for the purpose of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Patients were selected through convenience sampling and divided into experimental and control groups  in a quasi-random method. In addition to routine care, the test group received the natural sound of the event along with its beautiful scenery, and the control group received routine care only. The patient's anxiety was measured based on the Spielberger questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, descriptive statistics and t test.

Mean anxiety score changes in distraction receiver group, - 21/56± 98   and in the control group was -5/21± 8/12. There was a significant difference (p = 0.001) between the control group and group receiving the thinking distraction  .

distraction method is effective in reducing anxiety in patients undergoing extracorporeal lithotripsy and can be used to manage pain in the future.