The Effect of Deep Breathing on Anxiety, Fatigue and Sleep Quality in Operating Theater Staff

Due to the work in emergency situations, having high work technique and large volume of work, the operating room is known as a stressful part. Which can cause problems for the personnel working in it. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of deep breathing on anxiety, fatigue and sleep quality of operating room personnel.

This clinical trial was performed by pre-test-post-test method in 2020 on operating room technologists and anesthesia technicians. Thirty-five people who met the inclusion criteria were randomly selected and performed deep breathing exercises for four weeks. Multidimensional fatigue intensity, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality and Beck Anxiety Questionnaires were completed and compared before, two weeks and four weeks after the intervention.

The mean anxiety score changed from 19.65 ± 9.57 to 14.2 ± 6.34 after two weeks and 10.68 ± 5.67 after four weeks. The mean fatigue scores changed from 64.37 ± 10.07 to 56.79 ± 8.72 and then 52.75 ± 8.76 Which is quite significant in both time effects (P <0.001). The average sleep quality score changed from 9.89 ± 3.41 to 8.92 ± 2.7 and then 7.71 ± 2.7. There was no significant difference in the previous time - 2 weeks later (P = 0.57). However, at 2-4 weeks later, There was significant difference (P = 0.04).

Due to the positive effects of deep breathing on operating room personnel, the use of this non-pharmacological and uncomplicated method is recommended to maintain the mental and physical health of personnel and increase safety and quality of work.