Integrative and complementary practices in Intensive Care Units: An integrative review

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Integrative Health
• Nursing Research

Background:

• Growing interest in Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (ICHPs) within Adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
• Need for synthesized knowledge on ICHPs application in critical care settings.
• Recognition of nursing's pivotal role in implementing ICHPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize existing literature on the use of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in Adult Intensive Care Units.
• To identify prevalent ICHPs and their reported outcomes in critical care.
• To assess the current state of research regarding ICHPs in adult ICUs.

Main Methods:

• Integrative literature review utilizing Ganong's theoretical-methodological framework.
• Systematic search of databases using keywords 'Intensive Care Units' and 'Complementary Therapies'.
• Analysis of 25 selected studies published from 1994 onwards, employing QDA Miner Lite software.

Main Results:

• The majority of studies were quantitative clinical trials, with music therapy being the most frequently reported ICHPs.
• Music therapy demonstrated fewer application challenges and higher participant acceptance.
• Combined complementary practices were also found to be effective in the ICU setting.

Conclusions:

• There is increasing adoption of ICHPs in adult ICUs, indicating a positive trend.
• Further research is necessary to elucidate the specific impact and efficacy of individual ICHPs.
• Effective implementation of ICHPs in ICUs relies heavily on nursing involvement and expertise.