Clinical practice guidelines as a new source of middle-range theory: focus on acute pain

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Music for Pain Relief after Arthroplasty Surgery

PURPOSE

Effective pain management for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, using pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, is essential. This pilot study evaluated music as an adjuvant therapy with prescribed analgesics to reduce acute pain and analgesic use among patients undergoing arthroplasty surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized controlled trial of 50 participants scheduled for arthroplasty surgery at a large university-affiliated hospital.

METHODS

Participants were randomly assigned to treatment (music and analgesic medication; n = 25) or control (analgesic medication only; n = 25) groups. The intervention consisted of listening to self-selected music for 30 minutes, three times per day postoperatively in hospital and for 2 days postdischarge at home. Participants rated pain intensity and distress before and after music listening (treatment group) or meals (control group). Analgesic medication use was assessed via medical records in hospital and self-report logs postdischarge.

RESULTS

Forty-seven participants completed the study. Participants who listened to music after surgery reported significantly lower pain intensity and distress in hospital and postdischarge at home. There were no statistically significant differences in analgesic medication use after surgery between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings provide further evidence for the effectiveness of music listening, combined with analgesics, for reducing postsurgical pain, and extend the literature by examining music listening postdischarge. Music listening is an effective adjuvant pain management strategy. It is easy to administer, accessible, and affordable. Patient education is needed to encourage patients to continue to use music to reduce pain at home during the postoperative recovery period.

Development of middle-range theories in nursing

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify in the literature how Middle-Range Theories (MRT) are being developed in Nursing. Method: Integrative review on the databases Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences), Scopus, Cinahl (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Web of Science and PubMed portal, using the keywords middle range theory and nursing, as well its Portuguese correspondents (Lilacs), and the Boolean operator AND. The sample included 25 articles. Results: All articles presented concepts related to MRT. Most developed a synthesis picture. Some theories have formulated specific propositions, hypotheses, and names. Only 16 articles cited the methodological framework, while 22 used theories or models for theoretical foundation and 11 carried out literature reviews. Final considerations: The development of MRT included the presentation of fundamental concepts, synthesis, propositions, hypotheses and specific name. The MRT is recognized as a way of developing knowledge to guide the nursing practice.

Nursing Theory and Practice: Connecting the Dots

The authors propose connecting the dots among theory, practice, and research by adopting an expanded conceptual-theoretical-empirical structure of nursing knowledge and matrix process to guide the placement of nursing knowledge in a contextual whole. An overview of the theoretical journey of nursing knowledge development is contrasted with the journey from practice resulting in a theory-practice disconnect. Both approaches are united to present an integrated view of the dimensions of the knowledge development of nursing as a professional discipline.

Effects of music therapy on pain, anxiety, and vital signs in patients after thoracic surgery

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effectiveness of music listening on pain, anxiety, and vital signs among patients after thoracic surgery in China.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in the thoracic surgery department of two tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, China. 112 patients were recruited and randomly assigned to either experimental (n=56) or control (n=56) group respectively.

INTERVENTION

The experimental group received standard care and a 30-min soft music intervention for 3 days, while the control group received only standard care. Measures include pain, anxiety, vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate), patient controlled analgesia, and diclofenac sodium suppository use.

RESULTS

The experimental group showed statistically significant decrease in pain, anxiety, systolic blood pressure and heart rate over time compared to the control group, but no significant difference were identified in diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, patient controlled analgesia and diclofenac sodium suppository use.

CONCLUSION

The findings provide further evidence to support the practice of music therapy to reduce postoperative pain and anxiety, and lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate in patients after thoracic surgery in China.

Satisfacción con el manejo del dolor posoperatorio en pacientes hospitalizados

Objetivo: determinar la satisfacción con el manejo del dolor en pacientes hospitalizados y su relación con la intensidad del mismo, el alivio y la orientación proporcionada al paciente para el manejo del dolor posoperatorio. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo correlacional. Muestreo aleatorio sistemático en una muestra de 193 pacientes. Se utilizó el Cuestionario de Intensidad del Dolor y una cédula de datos. Resultados: el 48,2 % de los participantes manifestaron dolor severo como máximo dolor durante las primeras 24 horas. En relación con el alivio del dolor, el 77,7 % tuvo un manejo adecuado y el 85,5 % recibió orientación preoperatoria. La satisfacción se ubicó en 9,54 (DE = 1,08). Se encontró diferencia significativa en la satisfacción del paciente según si recibió o no orientación (t = 71,23, p = 0,001), con mayor satisfacción en los que recibieron orientación (M = 9,65) (DE = 0,84). La satisfacción del paciente con el manejo del dolor está determinada por el máximo dolor posoperatorio y por la orientación preoperatoria recibida para el manejo del mismo (R2 = 0,17, p = 0,000). Conclusiones: el adecuado manejo del dolor en el paciente posoperatorio hospitalizado requiere valorar oportunamente el nivel de dolor y la orientación al paciente, aspectos elementales en los que enfermería juega un rol fundamental y son clave para incrementar la satisfacción.

Effects on postoperative salivary cortisol of relaxation/music and patient teaching about pain management

The physiological and psychological stress of surgery and postoperative pain can leave patients more susceptible to infection and complications. The present study was designed to determine whether two interventions, patient teaching (PT) for pain management and relaxation/music (RM), reduced cortisol levels, an indicator of stress, following abdominal surgery. Patients (18-75 years) were randomly assigned to receive PT, RM, a combination of the two, or usual care; the 205 patients with both pre- and posttest cortisol values were analyzed. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to compare groups for PT effects and RM effects. Stress was measured by salivary cortisol before and after 20-min tests of the interventions in the morning and afternoon of postoperative Day 2. Saliva was stimulated with lemon juice and analyzed with high-sensitivity salivary cortisol enzyme immunoassay. Comparisons using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline levels, showed no PT effect or RM effect on cortisol in the morning or afternoon. Post hoc ANCOVA showed no significant effects when intervention groups were compared to the control group. Although in previous studies, RM reduced pain and music reduced cortisol on Day 1, in the present study the cortisol response to surgery was not attenuated by PT or RM on Day 2. The RM intervention can be used for pain but needs to be further tested for effects on plasma cortisol in abdominal surgery patients on their first postoperative day.

Knowledge and attitudes of pain management among nursing faculty

A descriptive correlational design was used in this study to examine nursing faculty knowledge and attitudes in pain management. Relationships between age, education level, pain management preparation, length of time practicing as a nurse, length of time teaching nursing, time teaching pain management in the classroom, taught pain guidelines in the classroom, and additional continuing education about pain management were explored. Ninety-six nursing faculty participated from 16 schools of nursing in one Midwestern U.S. region. Findings identified that most of the nursing faculty recalled being taught about pain management in their basic education, but less than one-half felt adequately prepared. Most respondents said that they taught pain management, yet fewer than one-half identified that they used specific pain management guidelines. Faculty demonstrated adequate knowledge of pain assessment, spiritual/cultural issues, and pathophysiology. Areas of weakness were found in medications, interventions, and addiction. Faculty that reported teaching pain management in the classroom and reported more continuing education missed fewer items. Older nursing faculty reported more years of practice, more years of teaching, and more continuing education in pain management than younger faculty. Younger nursing faculty remembered being taught pain management in nursing school and felt more adequately prepared than older nursing faculty. Faculty that reported practicing for longer periods of time felt less prepared in pain management than faculty who practiced for shorter periods of time. More continuing education in pain management may be needed for older nurses to meet the recommendations of the Institute of Medicines' report on relieving pain in the U.S.

The theory of music, mood and movement to improve health outcomes

AIM

This paper presents a discussion of the development of a middle-range nursing theory of the effects of music on physical activity and improved health outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Due to the high rate of physical inactivity and the associated negative health outcomes worldwide, nurses need new evidence-based theories and interventions to increase physical activity.

DATA SOURCES

The theory of music, mood and movement (MMM) was developed from physical activity guidelines and music theory using the principles of statement and theory synthesis. The concepts of music, physical activity and health outcomes were searched using the CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library databases covering the years 1975-2008.

DISCUSSION

The theory of MMM was synthesized by combining the psychological and physiological responses of music to increase physical activity and improve health outcomes. It proposes that music alters mood, is a cue for movement, and makes physical activity more enjoyable leading to improved health outcomes of weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and cardiovascular risk factor management, and improved quality of life.

CONCLUSION

As it was developed from the physical activity guidelines, the middle-range theory is prescriptive, produces testable hypotheses, and can guide nursing research and practice. The middle-range theory needs to be tested to determine its usefulness for nurses to develop physical activity programmes to improve health outcomes across various cultures.

Piloting tailored teaching on nonpharmacologic enhancements for postoperative pain management in older adults

Despite many advances in the pharmacologic treatment of pain, the issue of unresolved postoperative pain continues to plague patients and health care professionals. Little seems to be known about the reasons why nonpharmacologic methods are not more widely used, particularly as they are commonly low in cost, easy to use, and largely free of adverse side effects. A central question has to do with what patients are taught about nonpharmacologic methods and how a novel mode of teaching can be embedded in practice. A seven-step pre-posttest teaching intervention pilot study was deployed with older joint replacement patients within the context of a translational research model. Results of the teaching pilot showed significant post-teaching changes in subjects' knowledge and attitudes about nonpharmacologic methods for pain management, high satisfaction with the nonpharmacologic methods they chose, and incrementally greater use of the nonpharmacologic methods over the course of the hospital stay. A randomized controlled trial of the study is now in the early planning stages in an effort to obtain generalizable results that will help solidify evidence of the impact of music, imagery, and slow-stroke massage on pain management and confirm the value of patient teaching as an important means of offering patients more options for managing their own pain.

Music as nursing intervention for pain in five Asian countries*

BACKGROUND

The use of music as intervention for relieving pain has increased in recent years, prompting its growing use among the people of the western world. However, among Asians, music has long been used for this purpose and continues to be so today. Despite this common knowledge, Asians have not generally written about the therapeutic effects of music. Consequently, most of the published research studies supporting this claim were conducted in western settings using western music.

PURPOSE

To describe the use of music as intervention in painful conditions as experienced by people in five Asian countries: China, Thailand, Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan.

METHOD

Descriptive survey of studies using music as intervention for painful conditions conducted in selected five Asian countries.

FINDINGS

Twelve studies including theses and dissertations, published and unpublished, were found; however, only nine met the inclusion criteria. Data were categorized according to research design, sample size, gender, age, duration of music, frequency of music intervention, types of pain and instruments used to measure pain, conceptual or theoretical frameworks and statistical significance of the study. Five of the nine studies declared significant decrease in pain, while three reported mixed results. Fundamentally, the findings of the studies suggested that with music, relief of pain was possible.

IMPLICATIONS

The mixed results imply the need for further investigation of the effects of music in painful conditions. Thus, the authors suggest continuing studies on the effects of music as intervention in painful conditions, and encourage increasing global dissemination of these studies, particularly in international journals.

Assessing the postoperative patient: Philosophy, knowledge and theory

The assessment of the postoperative patient is critical in identifying the patient's current condition and to monitor any complications that might occur. However, many nurses fail to realize the implications that philosophical paradigms, knowledge and theoretical concepts bring to the assessment practice and the manner in which assessment is conducted; in particular, within 24 h after surgery. This article seeks to explore the usefulness of philosophy, knowledge and theory as they relate to nursing assessment of the postoperative patient within the initial 24 h after surgery. It is the duty of nurses to select and effectively apply appropriate philosophical dimensions, knowledge and theories in practice and critically evaluate these areas with respect to assessment of the postoperative patient, thus aiming for a holistic assessment of the patient.

Relaxation and music reduce pain following intestinal surgery

Three nonpharmacological nursing interventions, relaxation, chosen music, and their combination, were tested for pain relief following intestinal (INT) surgery in a randomized clinical trial. The 167 patients were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups or control and were tested during ambulation and rest on postoperative days 1 and 2. Pain sensation and distress were measured with visual analog scales (VAS). Multivariate analysis of covariance showed significantly less post-test pain in the intervention groups than in the control group on both days after rest and at three of six ambulation post-tests (p = .024-.001), resulting in 16-40% less pain. Mixed effects after ambulation were due to the large variation in pain and difficulty relaxing while returning to bed; but post hoc explorations showed effects for those with high and low pain. These interventions are recommended along with analgesics for greater postoperative relief without additional side effects.

Systematic relaxation to relieve postoperative pain

BACKGROUND

Unrelieved pain after surgery can lead to complications, prolonged hospital stay, and delayed recovery. Because of side effects from opioids and differences in response, it is important to use non-pharmacological methods in addition to analgesics to decrease patient discomfort and anxiety.

AIMS

We examined the effects of a systematic method of relaxing the body on the sensory and affective components of postoperative pain, anxiety, and opioid intake after initial ambulation.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial with relaxation and control groups was used.

METHOD

The convenience sample of 102 adults underwent abdominal surgery at a large hospital in Thailand. Systematic relaxation was used for 15 minutes during recovery from the first ambulation after surgery. Pain was measured with 100 mm Visual Analogue Sensation and Distress of Pain Scales before and after the intervention. State anxiety was measured before surgery and after the intervention; opioid intake was recorded 6 hours later.

RESULTS

The relaxation group had less post-test sensation and distress of pain (26 and 25 mm less, respectively) than the control group (P = 0.001). Relaxation did not result in significantly less anxiety or 6-hour opioid intake. However, group differences in state anxiety were in the expected direction and fewer participants in the relaxation group requested opioids. Nearly all reported that systematic relaxation reduced their pain and increased their sense of control.

CONCLUSION

Substantial reductions in the sensation and distress of pain were found when postoperative patients used systematic relaxation. Although tested in Thailand, we recommend that nurses in other countries try systematic relaxation with postoperative patients, in addition to analgesic medication, measuring pain scores and asking about cultural acceptance.

Psychiatric assessment and treatment of pediatric pain

TOPIC

The clinical nurse specialist's role as part of a multidisciplinary pain team in assessing and treating children with pain, and children with co-morbid pain and a psychiatric diagnosis.

PURPOSE

To help nurse clinicians use relatively new assessment and treatment strategies in the arena of children's pain, gain a better understanding of pain's co-morbidity with psychiatric problems, and understand the nurse's important role in working with children with pain.

SOURCES

Published literature: Pain assessment, theories of pain, psychiatric assessment, pain and psychiatric co-morbidity, treatment modalities for pain. A case study of a teenage girl with chronic pain and a psychiatric disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Nursing interventions in pediatric pain assessment and treatment play a vital role in the child's and adolescent's physical and emotional rehabilitation from pain and psychiatric symptoms.

Relaxation and music reduce pain after gynecologic surgery

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effect of three nonpharmacologic nursing interventions: relaxation, music, and the combination of relaxation and music on pain following gynecologic (GYN) surgery. A total of 311 patients, ages 18 to 70, from five Midwestern hospitals, were randomly assigned using minimization to either three intervention groups or a control group and were tested during ambulation and rest on postoperative days 1 and 2. Pain sensation and distress were measured using visual analogue scales. Multivariate analysis of covariance of posttest sensation and distress was used with pretest control and a priori contrasts. The intervention groups had significantly less posttest pain than the control group (p =.022-.001) on both days. The three interventions were similar in their effect on pain. Patients who received the interventions plus patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) had 9% to 29% less pain than controls who used PCA alone. Reduced pain was related to amount of activity (ambulation or rest), mastery of the use of the intervention, and decreased pulse and respiration. Those who slept well had less pain the following day. Nurses who care for GYN surgical patients can provide soft music and relaxation tapes and instruct patients to use them during postoperative ambulation and also at rest on days 1 and 2.

Nursing theory across curricula: a status report from Midwest nursing schools

This article reports on an informal survey conducted for the Theory Development Section of the Midwest Nursing Research Society. Its purposes were to describe current practices in teaching nursing theory at three levels of curricula and to compare these practices between nursing programs in liberal arts colleges and research universities, between schools with and without doctoral programs, and between faculty with nursing and nonnursing doctorates who teach nursing theory. Findings indicate greatest consistency of practices at baccalaureate and doctoral levels, though few baccalaureate programs have required courses in nursing theory. Few differences were found between types of schools, but faculty with nursing doctorates tended to emphasize theory-practice linkages at the baccalaureate level. Further study that uses this work as a platform is suggested.

Relaxation and music to reduce postsurgical pain

AIMS

We investigated the effects of relaxation, music, and the combination of relaxation and music on postoperative pain, across and between two days and two activities (ambulation and rest) and across ambulation each day. This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial was conducted from 1995 to 1997.

BACKGROUND

After surgery, patients do not always receive sufficient relief from opioids and may have undesired side-effects. More complete relief (10-30%) was found recently with adjuvant interventions of relaxation, music, and their combination. Comparison of effects between days and treatments have not been examined longitudinally.

METHODS

With a repeated measures design, abdominal surgery patients (n = 468) in five US hospitals were assigned randomly to one of four groups; relaxation, music, their combination, and control. With institutional approval and written informed consent, subjects were interviewed and taught interventions preoperatively. Postoperative testing was at ambulation and rest on days 1 and 2 using visual analogue (VAS) sensation and distress of pain scales.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis indicated that although pain decreased by day 2, interventions were not different between days and activities. They were effective for pain across ambulation on each day, across ambulation and across rest over both days (all P < 0.001), and had similar effects by day and by activity.

CONCLUSION

Nurses can safely recommend any of these interventions for pain on both postoperative days and at both ambulation and rest.

Pain after gynecologic surgery

This article provides a descriptive profile of pain in 80 women during the first 2 days after gynecologic surgery in 4 hospitals. Surgical procedures included abdominal hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and laparotomy. Average pain was moderate on both days, but paired t tests indicated that pain increased significantly during ambulation on day 1 (P = .009, sensation; P < .001, distress) and on day 2 (P = .007, sensation; P = .030, distress). They both (P = .001) decreased significantly during rest on day 1, but not on day 2. Analysis of quartiles indicated that one fourth of the sample suffered severe sensation pain at all points on day 1 (60 to 74 mm on a 100-mm visual analogue scale), and moderate to severe sensation on day 2 (40 to 60 mm). The lowest quartile had mild pain on both days (11 to 28 mm on day 1, and 7 to 14 mm on day 2). Some patients (30%) reported that pain interrupted their sleep on the first 2 nights, and difficulty sleeping on the first postoperative night for any reason (65%) was related to greater pain during the next 2 days (r = .25 to .43). Although 41% of the women had previously used relaxation techniques for stress or pain, only 9% used it for pain after surgery. Results suggest that postoperative patients have moderate to severe pain that is incompletely relieved with patient-controlled analgesia. Nurses should encourage patients to press the patient-controlled analgesia button more often, report unrelieved pain, and use nonpharmacologic interventions.

Middle range theory: spinning research and practice to create knowledge for the new millennium

The foundation of middle range theory reported during the past decade was described and analyzed. A CINAHL search revealed 22 middle range theories that met selected criteria. This foundation is a firm base for new millennium theorizing. Recommendations for future theorizing include: clear articulation of theory names and approaches for generating theories; clarification of concept linkages with inclusion of diagrammed models; deliberate attention to research-practice connections of theories; creation of theories in concert with the disciplinary perspective; and, movement of middle range theories to the front lines of nursing research and practice for further analysis, critique, and development.

Theory construction based on standards of care: a proposed theory of the peaceful end of life

The contribution of developing a theory from this standard of care is that it can express a new unifying idea about the phenomenon of peaceful end of life for terminally ill patients. It allows for generating and testing hypotheses that can provide new insights into the nature of this phenomenon and can contribute to increased knowledge about nursing interventions that help patients toward a peaceful end of life. The process of theory development from standards of care as described in this article also can be applied to other phenomena. Clinical practice abounds with opportunities for theory development, yet nurses often do not use theories to guide their practice. Until now, little guidance has been provided to tap the richness of clinical knowledge for the development of middle-range theories. Whereas the method described in this article may still be further refined, it offers a promising approach for the development of theories that are applicable to practice and move beyond the scope of grand theories. Thus deriving theories from standards of care can offer an important contribution to the development of the discipline's scientific knowledge base and enhanced practice.

Prescriptive theory of acute pain management in infants and children

PURPOSE

To present a middle-range nursing theory of acute pain management that provides direction for practice and research. CLIENT POPULATION: Patients from 6 months to 12 years old who have acute pain.

CONCLUSIONS

The potential of the proposed theory, Acute Pain Management in Infants and Children, is to assist nurses in managing clinical pain and to expand the knowledge and research base in children's pain.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

To provide clinicians with prescriptions for pain reduction and a conceptual basis for pain interventions. Statement and theory testing are needed to determine adequacy of this theory for infants and children experiencing acute pain.