Effectiveness of Holding Breath After a Deep Inhalation in Reducing Pain Intensity During an Injection.

Abstract

Background
Pain during injections is a common experience for patients, often leading to discomfort and anxiety. Non-pharmacological techniques, such as breath-holding after deep inhalation, have been explored as potential methods to reduce pain intensity. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention in minimizing pain during injections.
Objective
The primary objective was to determine the effectiveness of holding one's breath after deep inhalation in reducing pain during injections.
Methods
A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the emergency department of Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals, Swat. The study included 80 participants (40 in each group) aged 20–50. The intervention group was instructed to hold their breath after deep inhalation during injection, while the control group received no intervention. Pain intensity was measured objectively (researcher observation) and subjectively (patient self-report) using a numerical pain scale (0–10). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with independent t-tests to compare groups.
Results
The mean objective pain intensity was significantly lower in the intervention group (2.70 ± 1.09) compared to the control group (4.20 ± 1.57; p = 0.000). Similarly, the mean subjective pain intensity was lower in the intervention group (2.63 ± 1.21) than in the control group (4.45 ± 1.63; p = 0.000). A higher proportion of participants in the intervention group reported less pain than in previous injections (67.5% vs. 5.0% in the control group).
Conclusion
Holding breath after deep inhalation effectively reduces pain intensity during injections. This simple, non-pharmacological technique can enhance patient comfort and improve the injection experience. Further research is recommended to validate these findings in diverse populations and settings.