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The Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises Before Gastroscopy on Anxiety, Fear, and Vital Signs

NCT07781943 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 64

Last updated 2026-08-24

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Gastroscopy, performed as an invasive procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal tract diseases, is often perceived by patients as an unpleasant and frightening experience, leading to anxiety (Hua et al., 2025). The onset of anxiety reduces procedure tolerance and negatively affects patient compliance (Yang et al., 2024). Factors such as pain, fear of complications, loss of control, and inadequate information are frequently cited as contributors to pre-gastroscopy anxiety (Helba, 2024). Anxiety triggers general stress responses-such as tachycardia, hypertension, and respiratory changes-associated with autonomic nervous system activation, and it impacts sedation requirements and cardiopulmonary risks (Liu, 2025). Breathing exercises, a non-pharmacological intervention, are widely recognized in the literature as effective in alleviating anxiety and fostering positive outcomes in patients (Aktaş, 2022; Bulut \& Karabulut, 2023). Breathing exercises stand out as a safe, low-cost method that modulates autonomic nervous system activity (Herawati et al., 2023). This study examines the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercises performed prior to gastroscopy on anxiety, fear, and vital signs. The results of this study will establish a scientific foundation for healthcare professionals regarding the clinical application of breathing exercises and contribute to evidence-based practices aimed at reducing pre-gastroscopy anxiety and fear while enhancing personal coping.

Conditions

  • Breath Exercise
  • State Anxiety
  • Adult Patients
  • Vital Signs Monitoring
  • Fear

Interventions

OTHER

Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises

Participants will perform a standardized breathing intervention consisting of pursed-lip breathing followed by diaphragmatic breathing. First, participants will complete 1 minute of pursed-lip breathing by inhaling deeply through the nose and exhaling slowly through slightly pursed lips to improve expiratory control and prepare for diaphragmatic breathing. They will then perform four sets of 10 diaphragmatic breaths. Each breathing cycle will include inhalation through the nose for 3-5 seconds, a 2-second pause, and controlled exhalation through the mouth for 6-7 seconds, with 30-60-second rest periods between sets. The total intervention will last approximately 10 minutes. Participants will be monitored throughout the session, instructed to focus on their breathing, and the intervention will be stopped if discomfort occurs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Eastern Mediterranean University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Sevinç Taştan · Eastern Medditerranian University, Faculty Of Health Sciences, Nursing Department

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-07-31
Primary Completion
2026-09-30
Completion
2026-10-30

Countries

  • Cyprus

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07781943 on ClinicalTrials.gov