“The effectiveness of palm fisting exercise in reducing the risk of thrombophlebitis among intravenous cannulated patients: Quasi Experimental study”

Abstract

Background: Exercise is an activity that is planned, structured, and repeated for the goal of maintaining physical health. The practice of exercise is evident to improve the blood circulation. The most common complications associated with Intravenous cannulated patients is thrombophlebitis [Thrombo means clot, phlebitis means inflammation in a vein]. Palm fisting exercise highly effective for reducing the risk of thrombophlebitis.

Aim: is to assess the effectiveness of palm fisting exercise in reducing the risk of thrombophlebitis among Intravenous cannulated patients

Methodology: A Quantitative research approach and Quasi experimental [Time series non- equivalent control group design] was used. A sample size of 60 patients (30 in experimental group and 30 in control group) were taken by purposive sampling technique from Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College & Hospital. Data was collected by Socio- demographic profile, clinical profile of Intravenous cannulated patients and VIP [Visual Infusion Phlebitis], VRS [Verbal Rating Scale].

Results: In experimental group during pre-test (at 0 hour) the mean VIP score was 2.00 with standard deviation of 0.74 while in post -test 1(at 12 hours), post- test 2(at 24 hours), posttest 3(at 36 hours) and post- test 4(at 48 hours) mean VIP score was 1.83, 1.37, 1.00 and 0.57with standard deviation of 0.59, 0.55,0.69 and 0.50.In experimental group, mean VIP rank of post- test 4(at 48 hours) was 1.38, higher than the mean rank of pre- test (at 0 hour) 4.35 (Fr= 95.48*, p<0.05). While in VRS mean rank of post- test 4 (at 72 hours) it was 1.68, higher than the pre-test (at 0 hour) which was 4.25 (Fr= 91.67*, p<0.05).

Conclusion: There is an effectiveness of palm fisting exercise in reducing the risk of thrombophlebitis among Intravenous cannulated patients.