This study was conducted to determine the effects of a manual vibration technique applied to the chest wall on the duration of chest tube placement, secretion clearance, and hemodynamic parameters in patients with chest tubes.
Having undergone thoracic surgery
Having a chest tube in the postoperative period
Being hemodynamically stable
Agreeing to participate in the study
Severe cardiac instability
Patients unable to tolerate the procedure due to neurological or cognitive impairment
Clinical conditions that would prevent the application of vibration to the chest wall
Patients diagnosed with pneumonia
Parallel
Chest Wall Oscillation
Procedure/SurgeryManual chest wall vibration is applied with the patient in a semi-Fowler's position during the expiratory phase of breathing. The practitioner places both hands flat on the chest wall and delivers gentle, rhythmic vibrations, starting from the lower lobes and progressing toward the upper lobes. Patients are instructed to inhale slowly through the nose and exhale using a pursed-lip breathing technique with a 1:2 inspiration-expiration ratio. The procedure is performed for approximately 5 minutes, corresponding to about 10 respiratory cycles, and is typically applied during the patient's rest period following routine care.
Conventional Control
BehavioralControl group patients were informed about the study and provided written consent. They received only routine nursing care, with no additional interventions applied. Baseline measurements were taken at 0 minutes, including dyspnea (MBS), pain (VNRS), vital signs, and arterial blood gas values. Following routine care, the same parameters were reassessed at 3, 5, and 10 minutes and recorded. No manual chest wall vibration was performed; only standard clinical monitoring was maintained. The same assessment protocol was repeated in the evening session.
Patient Follow-Up Form
Changes in respiratory and hemodynamic parameters (including respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure), dyspnea severity (Modified Borg Scale), and pain intensity (Visual Numeric Rating Scale) measured before the intervention and at 0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 minutes after the intervention.
Post-Operative Respiratory Status Questionnaire
A 6-item patient-reported questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale will be used to assess postoperative respiratory symptoms and adherence to breathing exercises. Higher scores indicate better outcomes.
Questionnaire on manual chest wall vibration therapy
A 9-item Likert-type questionnaire will be used to assess patient comfort, perceived benefit, and satisfaction with manual chest wall vibration. Higher scores indicate more favorable outcomes.
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