A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an Intervention to Promote Psychological Well-Being in Critically Ill Children: Soothing Through Touch, Reading, and Music*. Issue 7 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rennick, Janet E.; Stremler, Robyn; Horwood, Linda; Aita, Marilyn; Lavoie, Tanya; Majnemer, Annette; Antonacci, Marie; Knox, Alyssa; Constantin, Evelyn
• Is Part Of: Pediatric critical care medicine. Volume 19:Issue 7(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: children -- comfort -- hospitalization -- intervention studies -- pediatric critical care -- psychological outcomes; Pediatric intensive care -- Periodicals; Pediatric emergencies -- Periodicals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000001556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-7535

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a PICU Soothing intervention using touch, reading, and music. Design: Nonblinded, pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting: The PICU and medical-surgical wards of one Canadian pediatric hospital. Patients: Twenty PICU patients age 2–14 years old and their parents, randomized to an intervention group ( n = 10) or control group ( n = 10). Intervention: PICU Soothing consisted of: 1) parental comforting (touch and reading), followed by 2) a quiet period with music via soft headbands, administered once daily throughout hospitalization. Measurements and Main Results: Acceptability and feasibility of the intervention and methods were assessed via participation rates, observation, measurement completion rates, semistructured interviews, and telephone calls. Psychological well-being was assessed using measures of distress, sleep, and child and parent anxiety in the PICU, on the wards and 3 months post discharge. Forty-four percent of parents agreed to participate. Seventy percent and 100% of intervention group parents responded positively to comforting and music, respectively. Most intervention group parents (70%) and all nurses felt children responded positively. All nurses found the intervention acceptable and feasible. Measurement completion rates ranged from 70% to 100%. Pilot data suggested lower intervention group child and parent anxiety after transfer to hospital wards. Conclusions: PICU Soothing is acceptable and feasible to conduct. Results support the implementation of a full-scale randomized controlled trial to evaluate intervention effectiveness.