Impact of Tactile Stimulation on Sternal Pain in Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients at PIC Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan; A Quasi-Experimental Trial

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of tactile stimulation in reducing sternal pain among post coronary artery bypass graft patients. 

Study Design: A quasi-experimental study 
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, in collaboration with the University of Health Sciences, Lahore from April 2024 till September 2024. 

Methods: A total of 36 post coronary artery bypass graft patients aged 40 to 60 years were enrolled and allocated into an intervention group (n = 18) and a comparison group (n = 18). 

Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between groups. The intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in sternal pain over three postoperative days, with mean pain scores decreasing from 7.9 ± 0.8 at baseline to 1.6 ± 0.5 by day 3 (p < 0.001). In contrast, pain scores in the comparison group remained persistently high with no clinically meaningful change. Between group differences in post intervention pain scores were statistically significant across all assessment points.  

Conclusion: Tactile stimulation is an effective, safe, and low-cost adjunctive intervention for reducing postoperative sternal pain in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting and may enhance postoperative recovery when integrated into routine nursing care.