Abstract / Summary
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a stress ball on pain, anxiety, satisfaction, and treatment continuation among patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). This prospective, two-arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the urology outpatient clinic of a university hospital between May 2025 and May 2026. A total of 50 patients undergoing ESWL for the first time were randomly assigned to the stress ball group (n=25) and the control group (n=25). Patients in the stress ball group were provided with a stress ball during the procedure in addition to routine care, whereas the control group received routine care only. Patients' pain intensity during and after the procedure, as well as satisfaction levels following the procedure, were assessed using a visual analog scale. Anxiety levels before and after the procedure were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State. Patients' continuation to ESWL sessions was recorded. Pain scores during (p=0.001) and after (p<0.001) ESWL were lower in the stress ball group than in the control group. Post-procedure anxiety scores were lower in the stress ball group (p=0.035), whereas satisfaction scores were higher (p=0.011). The rate of continuation to the third ESWL session was higher in the stress ball group (92% vs. 68%, p=0.034). This study found that the use of a stress ball during ESWL reduced patients' pain and anxiety levels while increasing satisfaction and continuation to subsequent ESWL sessions. As a simple, low-cost, and non-pharmacological intervention, stress ball use may improve patient comfort, tolerance of ESWL, and adherence to repeated treatment sessions.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06846723, registered January 28, 2025.