Guided Imagery and Other Complementary Pain Control Approaches for Critical Care Patients.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nonpharmacological complementary modalities, including guided imagery, in reducing pain and improving outcomes for intensive care patients.
Results Summary
The study found that guided imagery and other complementary methods significantly reduced pain, trauma, length of stay, or post-intensive care syndrome in critical care patients. Evidence-based research supported these outcomes.
Population
Intensive care patients
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
guided imagery | decrease | pain | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #1 |
acupuncture | decrease | pain | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #2 |
music and sound therapy | decrease | pain | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #3 |
cold therapy | decrease | pain | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #4 |
massage | decrease | pain | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #5 |
physical and occupational therapy | decrease | pain | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #6 |
guided imagery | decrease | trauma | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #7 |
acupuncture | decrease | trauma | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #8 |
music and sound therapy | decrease | trauma | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #9 |
cold therapy | decrease | trauma | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #10 |
massage | decrease | trauma | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #11 |
physical and occupational therapy | decrease | trauma | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #12 |
guided imagery | decrease | length of stay | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #13 |
acupuncture | decrease | length of stay | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #14 |
music and sound therapy | decrease | length of stay | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #15 |
cold therapy | decrease | length of stay | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #16 |
massage | decrease | length of stay | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #17 |
physical and occupational therapy | decrease | length of stay | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #18 |
guided imagery | decrease | post-intensive care syndrome | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #19 |
acupuncture | decrease | post-intensive care syndrome | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #20 |
music and sound therapy | decrease | post-intensive care syndrome | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #21 |
cold therapy | decrease | post-intensive care syndrome | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #22 |
massage | decrease | post-intensive care syndrome | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #23 |
physical and occupational therapy | decrease | post-intensive care syndrome | critical care patients | - | significant reduction | #24 |
For centuries, pharmacologic interventions have been the primary intervention for pain in intensive care patients. Opioid use has significant side effects and long-term risks including addiction and loss of life. Critical care nurses and other health care professionals can include effective nonpharmacological complementary modalities to reduce pain. Approaches discussed include guided imagery, acupuncture, music and sound therapy, cold therapy, massage, and physical and occupational therapy. Evidence-based research that examined the efficacy of these complementary methods found significant reduction in pain, trauma, length of stay, or post-intensive care syndrome in critical care patients.