Mindfulness-based controlled breathing and the effect on performing a transnasal endoscopy: a quasi-experimental study.

Key Takeaways for GI Nurses

• Mindfulness-based controlled breathing techniques may help patients better tolerate transnasal endoscopy procedures by reducing anxiety and discomfort during the examination
• Pre-procedure breathing interventions could be easily integrated into standard nursing preparation protocols without requiring significant additional time or resources
• Patient education on controlled breathing techniques represents a non-pharmacological approach to improving procedural tolerance and patient experience
• This evidence-based intervention may reduce the need for additional sedation or premature procedure termination due to patient intolerance

Clinical Relevance

Transnasal endoscopy offers numerous advantages over traditional peroral approaches, including reduced gag reflex, improved patient communication during the procedure, and elimination of sedation requirements in many cases. However, patient anxiety and discomfort during nasal insertion and advancement can compromise procedure success and patient satisfaction. This research provides endoscopy nurses with evidence supporting a simple, cost-effective intervention that can be incorporated into routine pre-procedure preparation.

From a nursing practice perspective, implementing mindfulness-based controlled breathing techniques aligns with holistic patient care principles while addressing the practical challenges of unsedated procedures. GI nurses are uniquely positioned to teach and guide patients through these breathing exercises during the pre-procedure phase, potentially improving procedural outcomes and patient-reported experience scores. This intervention may also reduce nursing stress associated with managing anxious patients during challenging procedures.

The implications extend beyond individual patient encounters to unit-level operations. Improved patient tolerance could lead to more efficient procedure completion times, reduced need for repeat procedures, and better overall workflow in busy endoscopy units. Additionally, this research supports the expanding scope of evidence-based nursing interventions in procedural settings, reinforcing the critical role of nursing expertise in optimizing patient outcomes through non-pharmacological approaches.

Bottom Line

This study provides endoscopy nurses with evidence that simple mindfulness-based breathing techniques can meaningfully improve patient tolerance during transnasal endoscopy procedures. Given the minimal resource requirements and ease of implementation, incorporating controlled breathing instruction into routine pre-procedure nursing care represents a practical, patient-centered intervention that can enhance procedural success while demonstrating the value of nursing-led comfort measures in endoscopy practice.