Integrative therapy approaches in critical care: A survey of Canadian critical care nurses' practices, knowledge, and...

As evidence supporting the benefits of adjunctive integrative therapies (ITs) in critical care continues to grow, exploring the perspectives of critical care nurses is essential in informing effective strategies for the implementation of IT in critical care. ITs encompass a spectrum of complementary/alternative therapies, such as music therapy, relaxation, and massage. We examined Canadian critical care nurses' practices, knowledge, and attitudes towards IT, including perceived barriers, and associations with respondents' and unit characteristics.

We employed a cross-sectional survey. Based on a literature review and qualitative data, we developed and validated a survey questionnaire with three dimensions: practices, knowledge, and views. The sample comprised critical care nurses employed in intensive care units across Canada.

A total of 229 intensive care unit nurses participated (85.2% female; age: 39 ± 11 y). Respondents were familiar with and used various IT approaches and expressed interest in further education. Spirituality and music therapy emerged as highly regarded interventions, recognised as both legitimate (85.5% and 86.2%, respectively) and beneficial (90.9% and 93.6%, respectively). The respondents reported that these approaches are often used (51.7% and 45%, respectively) and requested by patients/families (89.6% and 63.9%, respectively) and that they have recommended them (71.6% and 71.2%, respectively) in their practice. Across therapies, 36-67% of respondents reported being knowledgeable and 34-84% being interested in further training. Gender and spirituality/faith (B = -0.16; p < 0.001) and level of perceived stress (B = 0.04, p = 0.02) were linked to the inclination towards these therapies. Key barriers included limited knowledge, lack of formal education, and clear guidelines.

Despite critical care nurses' positive attitudes towards IT, there is an evident gap in incorporating IT in the care of critically ill patients.