Empowering Patients with Fractures Through Relaxation and Distraction Techniques for Self-Management of Pain

Abstract

Background: Fractures are musculoskeletal injuries commonly associated with pain resulting from tissue damage, muscle spasms, and inflammatory responses. Inadequately managed pain may interfere with mobility, daily activities, sleep, and patient comfort. In addition to pharmacological treatment, relaxation and distraction techniques are simple non-pharmacological approaches that can be taught to patients to support independent pain management.

Objective: This community service program aimed to improve the knowledge and skills of patients with fractures in applying deep-breathing relaxation and distraction techniques as non-pharmacological strategies for pain management.

Methods: The program involved 30 patients with fractures and consisted of health education, demonstrations, and guided practice of deep-breathing relaxation and distraction techniques. Participants received education on pain recognition, pain-scale assessment, slow deep-breathing techniques, and attention diversion through visual, auditory, and simple activity-based distraction. Evaluation was conducted using pre-test and post-test knowledge assessments, a skills checklist, and the Numerical Rating Scale before and after the program.

Results: The mean knowledge score increased from 55.7 at pre-test to 86.3 at post-test. The proportion of participants who were able to correctly perform relaxation and distraction techniques increased from 36.7% before the program to 90.0% after the program. The mean pain intensity decreased from 5.1 to 3.0 following the intervention. Participants also demonstrated improved ability to recognize their pain level and independently apply non-pharmacological pain-management techniques.

Conclusion: Education and guided practice of relaxation and distraction techniques improved patients’ knowledge and practical skills and contributed to reduced pain intensity among patients with fractures. These techniques may be used as complementary strategies to strengthen patients’ ability to manage pain independently.