Interventions to facilitate pain management in myocardial infarction

Pain is a complex perceptual experience involving physiologic and psychologic factors. Nursing interventions such as reassurance, relaxation techniques, repositioning, distraction, and enhancement of the placebo effect may be used as adjuncts to pharmacologic therapy for the pain of acute myocardial infarction. The potential effectiveness of independent nursing interventions is supported here through a review of empirical studies. A description of gate-control theory is included as well as a case study and theory-based plan of care.