An overview of integrative care options for patients with chronic wounds.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the potential role of massage, among other integrative therapies, in addressing wound pain and improving quality of life for patients with chronic wounds.
Results Summary
The abstract suggests that massage, along with other integrative therapies, may help address wound pain and improve well-being, though research on its specific role in wound care is limited.
Population
Patients with chronic wounds, incontinence-related skin damage, or peristomal complications, including palliative care patients.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
acupuncture | decrease | wound pain | patients with chronic wounds | - | may be addressed using | #1 |
yoga | decrease | wound pain | patients with chronic wounds | - | may be addressed using | #2 |
biofeedback | decrease | wound pain | patients with chronic wounds | - | may be addressed using | #3 |
guided imagery | decrease | wound pain | patients with chronic wounds | - | may be addressed using | #4 |
massage | decrease | wound pain | patients with chronic wounds | - | may be addressed using | #5 |
healing touch | decrease | wound pain | patients with chronic wounds | - | may be addressed using | #6 |
therapeutic touch | decrease | wound pain | patients with chronic wounds | - | may be addressed using | #7 |
aromatherapy | decrease | wound pain | patients with chronic wounds | - | may be addressed using | #8 |
topical medical-grade honey | decrease | wound pain | patients with chronic wounds | - | may be addressed using | #9 |
biofeedback | increase | incontinence control | patients who are incontinent or have incontinence-related skin damage or peristomal complications | - | may benefit from | #10 |
Integrative care incorporates aspects of traditional and nontraditional medicine, also often referred to as holistic or complementary and alternative medicine. Providing integrative wound care involves addressing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual components of the whole person. Several care models, including the Seven Balance Point Model, include holistic considerations, as well as promotion of physical health recommendations involving nutrition, sleep, exercise, and emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. The quality of life of patients with chronic wounds may be negatively affected by chronic and procedural pain, sleep disturbance, social, and emotional concerns. Although research into the role of integrative medicine in wound care is limited, experiences from other disciplines suggest wound pain may be addressed using acupuncture, yoga, biofeedback, guided imagery, massage, healing touch and therapeutic touch, aromatherapy, and topical medical-grade honey. In addition, patients who are incontinent or have incontinence-related skin damage or peristomal complications may benefit from biofeedback to better control incontinence. Research to increase understanding about the role of holistic care for patients with wound, stoma, and continence-related problems in general, and its effect on the quality of life of palliative care patients in particular, will help clinicians provide evidence-based and patient-centered care.