4-7-8 Breathing Before Colonoscopy: Effects on Anxiety, Pain, and Embarrassment

NCT07877012 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CBU478
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 104
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the 4-7-8 breathing technique performed before colonoscopy on patients' anxiety, pain, and embarrassment. Colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine the inside of the large intestine and may cause anxiety, discomfort, and embarrassment in some patients. In this randomized controlled study, 104 patients undergoing colonoscopy were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Patients in the intervention group performed the 4-7-8 breathing technique before colonoscopy, while patients in the control group received usual care. Anxiety, pain, and embarrassment were assessed to compare outcomes between the two groups. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the 4-7-8 breathing technique performed before colonoscopy on patients' anxiety levels, pain intensity, feelings of embarrassment, and physiological parameters.

Conditions

Anxiety; Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Anxiety Level (State Anxiety Inventory Score)

  Anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State subscale (STAI-S) at baseline (T0), immediately before sedation and colonoscopy (T1), and after the procedure when the patient had fully recovered (T2). Scores were compared between the intervention and control groups.

  Baseline (T0), immediately before sedation and colonoscopy (T1), and after the procedure following full cognitive recovery (T2).

Study Arms (2)

4-7-8 Breathing Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

4-7-8 Breathing Technique BEHAVIORAL

Participants received individualized instruction on the 4-7-8 breathing technique from the principal investigator approximately 30 minutes before colonoscopy. The technique involved inhaling through the nose for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling slowly through the mouth for 8 seconds. Participants completed four breathing cycles per set and two sets in total, with an intervention duration of approximately 8-10 minutes. After the exercise, participants rested for 10 minutes in a quiet pre-procedural room before the pre-procedural assessments and sedatio

4-7-8 Breathing Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may not qualify if:

• Patients were excluded if they were under 18 years of age, had hearing or speech impairments that would prevent understanding of the breathing technique instructions, regularly used anxiolytics or sedatives, or exhibited abnormal vital sign fluctuations requiring acute medical intervention during or after the procedure.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Manisa Celal Bayar University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Erhan Ergin Kliniği

Manisa, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 9, 2026
• First Posted: October 15, 2026
• Study Start: November 30, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: June 1, 2025
• Last Updated: October 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)