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Research: GOOD and colleagues, F
Listed in Issue 66
Abstract
GOOD and colleagues, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, mpg@po.cwru.edu investigated the effects of relaxation, music and a combination of the two on postoperative pain .
Background
Opioid analgesics do not always provide sufficient pain relief for postoperative patients and they may have undesirable side effects. Recently, more complete pain relief (10-30%) was found with adjuvant interventions of relaxation, music and their combination . Studies to compare effects between days and treatments have not yet been conducted. This secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled trial was carried out between 1995 and 1997 and aimed to compare effects between 2 days and 2 activities (ambulation and rest) and across ambulation each day.
Methodology
The study used a repeated measures design. 468 abdominal surgery patients in 5 US hospitals were assigned randomly to receive: 1) relaxation; 2) music; 3) relaxation and music; or 4) neither relaxation nor music (controls). Subjects were interviewed and taught the interventions preoperatively. Postoperative testing during ambulation and at rest was carried out on Days 1 and 2 using visual analogue scales (VAS) for sensation and distress of pain. Multivariate analysis was applied to the data obtained.
Results
Pain decreased by Day 2. Interventions were not different between days and activities. The interventions were effective for pain across ambulation on each day, across ambulation and across rest over both days (all p<0.001), and had similar effects by day and by activity.
Conclusion
The investigators concluded that nurses can safely recommend any of these interventions for pain on both postoperative days and during both ambulation and rest.
References
Good M et al. Relaxation and music to reduce postsurgical pain. Journal of Advanced Nursing 33 (2): 208-15. Jan 2001.
Comment
For further evidence, readers may wish to re-read Simon Heather's article The Healing Power of Sound from Issue 64.
