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Research: KSHETTRY and co-authors,
Listed in Issue 139
Abstract
KSHETTRY and co-authors, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, vibhu.kshettry@allina.com, have studied CAM therapies for heart surgery patients.
Background
Complementary therapies such as touch and music are used as successful adjuncts in treatment of pain in chronic conditions. Little is known about their effectiveness in the care of heart surgery patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility, safety, and impact of a CAM therapies package for heart surgery patients.
Methodology
104 patients undergoing open heart surgery were prospectively randomized to receive either complementary therapy (preoperative guided imagery training with gentle touch or light massage and postoperative music with gentle touch or light massage and guided imagery) or standard care. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and pain and tension were measured preoperatively and as pre-tests and post-tests during the postoperative period. Complications were abstracted from the hospital record.
Results
Virtually all patients in the CAM group (95%) and 86% in standard care completed the study. Heart rate and blood pressure patterns were similar. Decreases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure in the complementary therapies group were judged within the range of normal values. Complication rates were very low and occurred with similar frequency in both groups. Pre-treatment and post-treatment pain and tension scores decreased significantly in the CAM group on postoperative days 1 (p < 0.01) and 2 (p < 0.038).
Conclusion
The CAM therapies protocol was implemented with ease in a busy critical care setting and was acceptable to the vast majority of patients studied. Complementary medical therapy was not associated with safety concerns and appeared to reduce pain and tension during early recovery from open heart surgery.
References
Kshettry VR, Carole LF, Henly SJ, Sendelbach S, Kummer B. Complementary alternative medical therapies for heart surgery patients: feasibility, safety, and impact. Annals of Thoracic Surgery 81 (1): 201-205, Jan 2006.
