Bridging Gaps in Holistic Rehabilitation After Critical Illness: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Patient-Centered Care
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Holistic care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) encompasses physical, emotional, psychological, social, spiritual, and environmental needs.
• It aims to support patient recovery and improve long-term outcomes following critical illness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of holistic care interventions in adult ICU patients.
• To evaluate interventions across the six dimensions of patient wellness.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (1999-2024).
• PRISMA guidelines and SPICE framework were followed for study selection and scope definition.
• Methodological quality assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools.

Main Results:

• Seven studies (RCTs, observational, mixed-methods) met inclusion criteria.
• Interventions included rehabilitation, spiritual care, reflexology, physical therapy, diaries, and family involvement.
• Narrative synthesis indicated potential benefits and high acceptability for patient-centered outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Limited but promising evidence suggests holistic care positively impacts ICU patient recovery.
• Further high-quality research is essential to confirm efficacy and guide integration into critical care.
• Holistic care interventions show potential for enhancing patient recovery in the ICU setting.