The effect of audiovisual distraction on the tolerability of flexible bronchoscopy: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
It is important to minimize patient discomfort during invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as bronchoscopy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of audiovisual distraction on the tolerability of flexible bronchoscopy (FB).


METHODS
We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial on patients undergoing FB at a hospital in Zahedan, Iran, in 2015. The patients were equally and randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. Patients in the control group received standard care during FB While patients in the experimental group selected familiar folk music that was played during the procedure along with the screening of images of nature. The duration of the FB was recorded and cough, dyspnea, choking, nausea and pain were evaluated using a visual analogue scale before and after the procedure. Statistical analysis was carried out using paired and independent t-tests, χ2-tests and analysis of covariance.


RESULTS
Sixty patients met the inclusion criteria and were randomized. The duration of the FB procedure was significantly shorter in the experimental group compared with the control group (mean ± standard deviation 7.87 ± 2.12 min and 10.27 ± 1.72 min, respectively; P < 0.05). Dyspnea, cough and pain were significantly less severe in the experimental group compared with the control group (P < 0.05), but choking and nausea were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings showed that audiovisual distraction had a positive effect on the tolerability of FB. This method has important potential as a simple and practical approach in reducing discomfort during invasive diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Pregnancy Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Ali
A
Navidian
Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Nezarali
N
Moulaei
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Ebrahim
E
Ebrahimi Tabas
Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Shahla
S
Solaymani
D000328:Adult; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
distraction; flexible bronchoscopy; satisfaction; tolerance