Publication: Investigating the efficacy of a handheld fan intervention in children with dyspnea: a randomized controlled study
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KU-Authors
KU Authors
Co-Authors
Dinc, Sermin
Cicek, Gokce
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Embargo Status
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Volume Title
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Abstract
Introduction: Dyspnea associated with acute respiratory tract infections is a common cause of emergency admissions and can be distressing for children. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a handheld fan intervention on physiological parameters in pediatric patients with dyspnea. Methods: A total of 59 children aged 2 to 12 years presenting to an emergency department for upper respiratory tract infection between March 2022 and March 2023 were assigned to the experimental group (n = 32) or control group (n = 27) by urn randomization. Both groups received the hospital's standard care, including 3 doses of inhaled bronchodilator at 20-minute intervals. The fan intervention consisted of parents applying a handheld electric fan to the child's face at a distance of 15 cm for 5 minutes after each inhaler treatment. Oxygen saturation, heart rate, and respiratory rate were recorded before treatment and after the 3 inhaler treatments. Results: There were no statistical differences in descriptive characteristics between the experimental and control groups (P > .05). Oxygen saturation values were significantly higher in the control group before treatment but showed greater increases in the intervention group after treatment (P < .001). The intervention group also exhibited greater reductions than the control group in both heart rate and respiratory rate after the third treatment than pretreatment values (P < .05). Discussion: The handheld fan intervention effectively supports inhaler treatment for children with dyspnea. Further studies are recommended to assess its impact across different age groups and clinical conditions.
Source
Publisher
Elsevier
Subject
Emergency medicine, Nursing
Citation
Has Part
Source
Journal of Emergency Nursing
Book Series Title
Edition
DOI
10.1016/j.jen.2024.06.009