NCT07031271

The Effect of the Strategic Game Tangram on Postoperative Patient Outcomes

Investigation of the Effect of Tangram Game on Patient Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery: A Randomised Controlled Study

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 74 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Aydin Adnan Menderes University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of playing tangram game after surgery on pain, fatigue and comfort levels in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Detailed description

Tangram game is a skill and strategy game based on creating 100 different forms, made of 4 or 7 pieces, made of wood. 100 different shapes are obtained by using all the given pieces. These patterns should be arranged from easy to difficult by following a given guide. Tangram game is a strong stimulant as it appeals to both visual and mental skills. Strong stimulants prevent the ongoing pain stimulus at that moment. Pain transmission is interrupted and the individual is prevented from feeling pain. During and after the game, the pain level begins to decrease thanks to different stimulants. Applications that give the individual pleasure, such as Tangram, provide the secretion of substances such as enkephalin and endorphin. With these secreted substances, the body's own analgesia system is supported and the severity of pain is reduced. There are studies in the literature testing non-pharmacological interventions in the management of post-operative pain and fatigue. Some of these studies include studies evaluating the effects of massage, listening to music, cold application, distraction strategies such as playing a tangram game or giving auditory stimulation, mobilization, reflexology, chewing gum, and acupuncture. There are limited studies in the literature on the use of tangram games in the management of postoperative pain, and no studies have been found examining the effects of this intervention on pain, fatigue, and patient comfort.

Conditions

• Pain Management
• Postoperative Care
• Nursing Care

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Tangram game	Tangram game; It is a very old intelligence and attention game of Chinese origin. This game stands out with its both entertaining and educational aspects. Tangram consists of seven geometric pieces formed from a square shape. These 7 pieces; 2 large right triangles, 1 medium right triangle, 2 small right triangles, 1 square and 1 parallelogram. The aim is to create various shapes (animals, people, objects, letters, etc.) with these pieces. The aim of the Tangram game is to recreate the same appearance with a given shape (silhouette) using the pieces. All 7 pieces must be used in the game, the pieces must not be overlapped, the pieces must not be cut or divided, the pieces can be rotated or turned according to the selected shape. For example, the person is asked to create a cat figure with these 7 pieces in accordance with the rules. This game is one of the non-pharmacological pain management techniques by diverting the attention of the patients. It is easy to apply and cheap.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-06-15
• Primary completion: 2025-12-15
• Completion: 2026-05-15
• First posted: 2025-06-22
• Last updated: 2025-06-29

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)