Effect of Active Cycle Breathing Technique on Postoperative Pain and Respiratory Health Outcomes of Patients undergoing Major Abdominal Surgeries

Background: There is a significant chance of both postoperative mortality and complicationrate with major abdominal surgery. Various interventions are available that aim to lower thepossibility of pulmonary problems following surgery, reduce postoperative pain. One of theseinterventions is the breathing method known as the active cycle (ACBT). Objective: To determine theimpact of implementing an active cycle breathing technique on postoperative pain of and onrespiratory health outcomes of patients undergoing major abdominal surgeries. Settings: The studywas carried out at the Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary, and Pancreatic Surgery Units, at AlexandriaMain University Hospital. Subjects: A convenience sample of 80 adult patients, who were divided intotwo equal groups (study and control group) were recruited for the study. Tools: four tools were used.Tool I: Patients’ socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule, Tool II: Painvisual analogue rating scale, Tool III: Postoperative respiratory health outcomes assessment sheet,and Tool IV: Active cycle breathing technique educational session’ intervention effectivenessevaluation tool. Results: The ACBT sessions had a potent effect on pain severity with an effect size of(0.989). In addition, there is a large effect of the ACBT on the study group patient's respiratoryoutcomes (0.975). Conclusion: Active cycle breathing technique application for the study grouppatients proved to have appositive effect in relation to patient's respiratory outcomes and there werestatistically meaningful variations were found between the study group before and after ACBT overallsessions except in the 8th session regarding pain. Recommendations: Establishing regular ongoingeducational programs and workshops for updating of nurses knowledge regarding the active cyclebreathing technique as air way clearance technique. Furthermore, for pain assessment andmanagement and the developed illustrated booklet should be available and distributed in both Arabicand English language in all surgical units.