Training on the Heimlich Maneuver for Mothers of Children With Disabilities

For a Safe Breath: Training on the Heimlich Maneuver for Mothers of Children With Disabilities in Cases of Foreign Body Obstruction

Foreign body obstruction is one of the most common causes of medical emergencies, particularly in childhood, and can lead to fatal outcomes if not treated promptly and correctly. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of hands-on Heimlich maneuver training for mothers of children with disabilities on the mothers' knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and anxiety levels. Conducted as a randomized controlled trial, the study is planned to include 70 mothers (experimental group: 35, control group: 35) of children aged 1-8 years attending a private rehabilitation center in the Besni district of Adıyaman. Data collection tools will consist of a demographic information form, a Heimlich maneuver knowledge and skill test, and self-efficacy and anxiety scales. A pilot study will be conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the data collection tools, test their comprehensibility for the mothers, and identify potential problems that may arise during implementation. Prior to the start of the training, the knowledge levels of all mothers will be assessed via a questionnaire. The Heimlich maneuver training provided to mothers in the experimental group will be delivered hands-on using a pediatric Heimlich mannequin. One month after the training, a post-test will be administered to the mothers. Mothers in the control group will be informed about the study during the initial interview and will take a pre-test. One month after the training, the mothers will take the post-test. Mothers in the control group will be informed about the study during the initial interview and will take the pre-test. The post-test will be administered one month later, after which the mothers in this group will also receive maneuver training. The mothers' pre-test and post-test scores will be compared both within and between groups.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Disabilities Multiple; Foreign Body Aspiration; Obstruction Airway
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Heimlich Maneuver training

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 70
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: EMEL AVÇİN, Assist Prof; Phone Number: 05534524243; Email: emel.avcin@hotmail.com

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Adıyaman, Turkey (Türkiye), 02400
    • Recruiting
    • Emel Avçin
    • Contact: Ali Tekin; Phone Number: 05534524243; Email: emel.avcin@hotmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be a mother of a child with a disability, aged 1-8, who is enrolled in a rehabilitation center.
2. Be 18 years of age or older.
3. Be able to read and understand the research protocol, provide written informed consent, and agree to participate.
4. Be physically able to participate in the training (standing/model-based exercises).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Must have previously received professional Heimlich maneuver/first aid training (those who have taken a course within the last 2 years).
2. Those who are unable to participate in hands-on training due to physical limitations (e.g., severe heart disease, mobility issues).
3. Individuals determined to be unsuitable for training or assessments due to psychiatric or neurological conditions.
4. Children with severe respiratory system disorders (e.g., tracheostomy, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia),
5. Children who have undergone heart surgery or have a serious cardiac anomaly,
6. Children with severe orthopedic or neurological disabilities for whom performing the Heimlich maneuver may be risky,
7. Children with congenital anomalies of the trachea or upper respiratory tract (e.g., tracheoesophageal fistula),
8. Children requiring mechanical ventilator support or continuous oxygen therapy.
9. Withdrawing from participation during the study or failing to attend any of the training/testing sessions.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: intervention group; Mothers in the experimental group will receive training on how to perform the Heimlich maneuver for foreign-body obstruction in children with disabilities. The training will include theoretical instruction and hands-on demonstrations using a mannequin. Each mother will first receive theoretical and practical instruction, then be asked to perform the maneuver, and her performance will be evaluated through a skills test. She will continue practicing until she performs the maneuver correctly. Training will be provided one-on-one to each mother in a room assigned by the institution, lasting an average of 30-45 minutes. A visually supported informational guide will be shared via cell phone so that mothers can refer to it as needed. The practical steps in this training are based on the first aid guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey. The Heimlich Maneuver for children covers children aged 1-8 years (APA, 2017).	Behavioral: Heimlich Maneuver training; The Heimlich Maneuver training materials were prepared based on the first aid guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey. A guide supported by visuals was also prepared to serve as a reminder. The training was demonstrated hands-on using a mannequin, and participants then practiced the technique under the supervision of a parent.
No Intervention: Control group; Mothers in the control group do not receive the training provided to the experimental group. However, these mothers are asked not to receive any external Heimlich Maneuver training during the study period. Once all data collection and analysis processes are complete, mothers in the control group will also receive the same high-quality Heimlich Maneuver training free of charge. A visually supported informational guide will be shared via cell phone so that mothers can refer to it when needed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Heimlich Knowledge Test	Parental first aid knowledge was assessed using a researcher-developed 12-item multiple-choice knowledge test. The test includes questions on recognition of foreign body obstruction, correct first aid steps, calling for emergency assistance, and age-group-specific application knowledge. Each correct answer was scored as 1 point and incorrect answers as 0 points. Total scores range from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating better first aid knowledge.	Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Parental Self-Efficacy Scale	Parental self-efficacy was assessed using the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale. The scale consists of 17 items rated on a 7-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 17 to 119, with higher scores indicating higher parental self-efficacy.	Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Beck Anxiety Inventory Score	Anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory. The scale consists of 21 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 63. Higher total scores indicate greater severity of anxiety symptoms.	Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Yalova
• Investigators: Study Director: EMEL AVÇİN, Assist Prof, Adiyaman University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 4, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 13, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Children; Breath; Disabilities; Foreign Body Obstruction; Heimlich Maneuver
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Insufficiency; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Respiratory Aspiration; Airway Obstruction
• Other Study ID Numbers: Heimlich Ma.

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No