Using a stress ball to ease pain during diabetic foot ulcer treatment

This trial is testing whether using a stress ball during surgical wound debridement—a procedure that cleans and removes damaged tissue from diabetic foot ulcers—can help reduce pain, anxiety, and stress. Half of the participants will use a stress ball during the procedure, while the other half will receive routine care without it. Researchers will measure pain levels, anxiety, and physical signs like heart rate and blood pressure to see if the stress ball makes a real difference.

Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to infection, hospitalization, or even amputation. While surgical debridement is one of the best ways to help these wounds heal, the procedure often causes significant pain and anxiety, which can make patients avoid treatment and slow their recovery. This study explores whether a simple, non-drug distraction technique—squeezing a stress ball—could help ease the emotional and physical stress of the procedure.