Agri. 2026 Apr 29;38(2):96-110. doi: 10.5606/agri.2026.49.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine the effect of position changes on pain in stroke patients who are unable to communicate verbally in the intensive care unit (ICU).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between August 2021 and February 2022, a total of 129 stroke patients who were unable to communicate verbally in the ICU were included in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Critical Care Observation Tool (CPOT), Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS), Motor Activity Assessment Scale (MAAS).
RESULTS: Of a total of 129 patients included in the study, 56 were male and 73 were female with a mean age of 73.5±11.2 (range, 45 to 92) years. There was a significant difference in conditions such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation value, changes in pupils, sweating, nausea-vomiting, and pallor-redness on the skin before, during, and after the position change (p < 0.05). In the multiple comparisons, the values before and after the intervention were lower than the values during the position change. There was a significant relationship between CPOT, BPS and MAAS in the study (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Stroke patients in the ICU who are unable to communicate verbally experience pain associated with position changes, as evidenced by both behavioral responses and physiological alterations. In-service training programs should be organized for intensive care nurses to enhance their ability to recognize and evaluate pain-related behaviors.
PMID:42172519 | DOI:10.5606/agri.2026.49