EFFECTS OF AN INTERVENTION PLAN ON BURN WOUND CARE (DEEP BREATHING, MUSIC).
Contributors: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 139
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Burn injured patients experience high levels of pain during wound care procedures even though analgesic medications, in varying doses, are generally administered before and/or during the procedures. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if an intervention plan which included deep breathing relaxation, music, and a heat controlled environment could improve coping and reduce anxiety, depression, pain, temperature fluctuation, and length of hospital stay in patients who undergo burn wound care.

Thirty-two adults who were hospitalized after sustaining a full-thickness or mixed partial and full-thickness burn injury were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Experimental subjects were taught a simple deep breathing relaxation technique, listened to music of their choice, and were provided supplemental external heating during the procedure. Subjects in the control group listened to a tape recorded message describing the wound care procedure, but were not provided music or additional warming during the procedure. All participants completed the Jalowiec Coping Scale, the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory at baseline and the end of the study. Subjects completed visual analog scales for pain intensity and pain distress at baseline and on each of the three study days. The subjects also responded to interview questions at the end of the study.

Experimental group subjects reported significantly higher mean coping effectiveness scores $(p=.0019),$ significantly lower pain intensity and pain distress scores $(p=.0001),$ and less temperature fluctuation $(p=.0349)$ during dressing change procedures than did those in the control group. No significant differences were found between groups in anxiety, depression, and length of stay.

In conclusion, significant differences were found between groups in coping effectiveness, pain intensity, pain distress, and temperature. Replications of the study are needed with subjects who have larger burn injuries, with patients earlier in their hospital stay, with pediatric patients, and with patients who do not require surgery. Further research, including a qualitative approach, is needed to identify whether burn survivors can identify other strategies which may be effective in dealing with burn wound care.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-12, Section: B, page: 7457.

Thesis (D.S.N.)--UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, 1996.

School code: 0005.