Stress Ball Use in Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Patients

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is the first-line treatment for acute respiratory failure in patients with type II respiratory failure. However, pain, anxiety, discomfort, and mask-related pressure may reduce treatment adherence, shorten therapy duration, and impair mask tolerance. Stress balls have been widely used as a distraction technique to reduce pain, anxiety, and stress by redirecting attention and promoting endorphin release. Although previous nursing studies have demonstrated their benefits in various clinical settings, evidence regarding their use in patients receiving Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is limited. To date, only one study has evaluated stress ball use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving Non-invasive mechanical ventilation, focusing on pain and anxiety without assessing treatment duration or mask adherence. This study aims to evaluate the effects of stress ball use on treatment duration, anxiety, and mask adherence in patients receiving Non-invasive mechanical ventilation.