The effect of hot application on patients' pain, anxiety and comfort levels during the cystoscopy procedure

Aim: This randomized controlled experimental type of study was conducted to determine effects of heat application on patients' pain, anxiety and comfort levels during cystoscopy. Material and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 62 people who were hospitalized in the cystoscopy unit of a state hospital located in the west of Turkey between November 2023 and June 2024. Of them, 31 were in the intervention group and 31 were in the control group. Data were collected with the 'Patient Information Form', 'Visual Analog Scale (VAS)', 'Data Recording Form', 'State Anxiety Inventory ' and 'Shortened General Comfort Scale'. In the study, the data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 25.0 program. While the data were analyzed, descriptive statistical methods, chi-square analysis, independent samples t-test, dependent samples t-test, analysis of variance and Bonferroni test were used to find the stage from which the difference stemmed. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the mean scores obtained from the VAS during and after the intervention but there was no statistically significant difference between the scores obtained from the overall State Anxiety Inventory and Shortened General Comfort Scale and their subscales before and after the intervention. Conclusion: It can be said that applying heat to patients during cystoscopy is an effective method to reduce pain. Keywords: Anxiety, Comfort, Cystoscopy, Heat Application, Pain