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First of Its Kind Study Shows Complimentary Alternative Medicine Reduces Pain and Tension in Heart Surgery Patients

Posted on: Wednesday, 15 March 2006, 09:01 CST

A recent study led by Vibhu R. Kshettry, MD, a cardiovascular surgeon from the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, shows that those patients who receive complimentary alternative medical therapies, including music, massage and guided imagery, before and after open heart surgery experience less pain and tension during recovery than patients who receive standard care.

The study, which was funded by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and is published in Annals of Thoracic Surgeons, is believed to be the first randomized study of complimentary alternative therapy in heart surgery patients. It included 104 men and women who were randomly divided into two groups--one that received alternative therapies at critical points in the preoperative and recovery periods, and one that received standard care.

Prior to their surgeries, patients assigned to the complimentary alternative medicine group received relaxation skills training, guided imagery and 30-minutes of gentle touch or light massage. On the first two days after the surgery, they listened to 20-minutes of country western, classical or light instrumental music and more light massage.

Patients assigned to the standard care group spent most of their time before and after surgery resting.

Physicians and nurses monitored the heart rates and blood pressure of patients in both groups and had patients rate their levels of pain and tension on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain). While heart rates and blood pressure for patients in both groups were similar, the mean post-operative pain and tension scores for patients who received alternative therapies were significantly lower than the scores of patients in the standard care group--2.4 vs. 3.5 on day one of recovery and 1.3 vs. 2.1 on day two.

"Our study demonstrates the importance of incorporating complimentary alternative therapies into the care of heart surgery patients," said Kshettry. "Heart surgery is often associated with deep, visceral postoperative pain that, if left untreated, can compromise recovery and contribute to patient distress. Alternative therapies reduce that pain."

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving heart health through meaningful advancements in research and education. For additional information about MHIF, please visit our website at www.mplsheartfoundation.org.

The Minneapolis Heart Institute is recognized internationally as one of the world's leading heart institutes. Its facility combines the finest in personalized patient care with sophisticated technology in a unique, family-oriented environment. The Institute's programs address the full range of heart-health needs: prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. The Minneapolis Heart Institute is found online at www.mplsheart.com.

Minneapolis-based Abbott Northwestern Hospital is part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, a non-profit network of hospitals, clinics and other health care services. Abbott Northwestern is found online at www.abbottnorthwestern.com.

Source: Business Wire

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