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The effect of simulated touch on vital signs, oxygen saturation, and pain in COVID-19 patients: An experimental study
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Beheshteh Tabarsi    , Somayyeh Bahrami * , Faeze Kheyri |
| Department of Nursing, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran , somayeh.bahrami@iautmu.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (16 Views) |
Background and Aims: Considering the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and the necessity of isolating affected patients with minimal human contact, taking measures such as use of latex gloves filled with lukewarm water seem beneficial as it mimics human touch and reduces isolation-related complications. This study aimed to determine the impact of using simulated touch on vital signs,oxygen saturation, and pain in COVID-19 patients.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 90 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at Farhikhtegan hospital in Tehran, Iran, 2023. The participants were selected through random sampling method and divided into two groups of intervention and control. Variables including body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pain were measured and compared in both groups before and after each intervention session. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, paired t-test, the Levene's, independent t-test, mixed analysis of variance, and linear regression were used for data analysis, which was carried out through SPSS-23 software.
Results: The interaction effect of intervention (two sessions with a 20-minute interval) and study groups (intervention and control) was significant only for oxygen saturation (F=23.016, p<0.05, Eta2= 0.207) and pain (F=31.875, p<0.05, Eta2= 0.273). In fact, latex gloves containing lukewarm water had a significant impact only on oxygen saturation and pain in COVID-19 patients.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that stimulated touch can enhance oxygen saturation and alleviate pain in COVID-19 patients, thereby providing them with greater comfort and relief. Therefore, it is recommended to use alternative methods such as simulated touch in patients with limited touch.
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| Keywords: Touch, COVID-19, oxygen saturation, vital signs, pain. |
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Full-Text [PDF 556 kb]
(7 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/07/10 | Accepted: 2025/02/22 | Published: 2025/02/22
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