Evaluating the impact of positional changes on pain in stroke patients unable to communicate verbally in the intensive care unit
Esra Efe1
, Nurhan Doğan2
1Department of Anesthesia, Bandırma Training and Research Hospital, Balıkesir, Türkiye
2Department of Medical Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Amasya University, Amasya, Türkiye
Keywords: : Critical Care Observation Tool, critical care pain assessment, Behavioral Pain Scale, intensive care unit, Motor Activity Assessment Scale, pain management, position change.
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 crosssectional 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.
Cite this article as: Efe E, Doğan N. Evaluating the impact of positional changes on pain in stroke patients unable to communicate verbally in the intensive care unit. Agri 2026;38(2):96-110. doi: 10.5606/agri.2026.49.