The effect of jet and mesh nebulizers on physical parameters and anxiety levels used in children with broncopneumonia in 3-6 age group

The study was planned as a randomised controlled experimental design study to determine the effect of jet and mesh nebulisers used in inhaler drug treatment on physical parameters and anxiety level in children aged 3-6 years with bronchopneumonia. The study was conducted between December 2022 and February 2023 in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Bolu Izzet Baysal State Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. According to the results of the power analysis, a total of 60 children (30 experimental and 30 control groups) who agreed to participate in the study and met the sample selection criteria constituted the sample of the study. The distribution of children to the groups was done randomly. In the data collection process of the study, ''Child and Parent Introductory Information Form'', ''Physical Parameters Record Form'' and ''Children's Emotional Exposure Assessment Scale'' (CEEAS) were used. The children in the control group received inhaler treatment with a jet nebuliser routinely used in the clinic, while the children in the experimental group received inhaler treatment with a mesh nebuliser. Physical parameters (body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, SPO2) of both groups were measured before, during and after the treatment and both groups were administered with the CEEAS. The data obtained were evaluated with statistical methods appropriate to the research data in SPSS 25.0 (Statistical PackageForSocialScience) package programme. Independent sample t test was used in variables with two groups. In cases where variances were not distributed homogeneously, Mann Whitney U test was used in paired groups. The relationship between categorical variables was evaluated by Chi-Square test. For numerical variables, comparisons of the groups according to time were performed with Repeated Measures one-way ANOVA. Bonferroni test was used as multiple comparison test. The significance level was accepted as p<0,05. When the research data were analysed, the difference between the groups in children's CEEAS scores was found to be statistically significant (p<0,05). Accordingly, the anxiety level of the control group was found to be higher than the experimental group. While there was no significant difference in body temperature findings according to the measurement times between the groups (p>0,05), a statistically significant difference was found in terms of respiratory rate, heart rate and oxygen saturation values (p<0,05). According to these findings, it was concluded that the mesh nebuliser caused less anxiety in children than the jet nebuliser and positively affected their physical parameters. Mesh nebuliser may reduce anxiety and negative physiological parameters and therefore, it is recommended to be used in paediatric emergency, paediatric intensive care and paediatric health clinics. Keywords: Nebulizer, Mesh Nebulizer, Jet Nebulizer, Anxiety, Physical Parameters