Effects of a Psycho-cognitive Nursing Intervention on Patients' Outcomes in Critical Illness

The Effects of a Psycho-cognitive Nursing Intervention on Clinical and Psychological Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a psycho-cognitive nursing intervention including relaxation, guided imagery, touch and music listening can improve the clinical and psychological outcome of critically ill patients. The investigators hypothesize that, patients who receive the proposed psycho-cognitive nursing intervention will report lower stress, less pain and have altered level of stress neuropeptides in peripheral blood, lower levels of inflammatory molecules, less complications and better self reported lived experience than patients who receive standard care alone.

In previous research on the impact of stress on physiology, it has been shown that stress and its molecules may contribute to derangements prevalent in critical illness, including systemic inflammation, cellular stress, oxidative damage, endothelial dysfunction and coagulopathies which precipitate high mortality and morbidity. Investigators will examine whether a Psycho-cognitive nursing intervention to induce relaxation can improve patients outcomes.

Sixty ICU patients with or without SIRS will be randomized to receive either standard care or a brief Psycho-cognitive Nursing Intervention, plus standard care, up to 5 days during ICU stay.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Critically ill patients
• Understand Greek language
• Age over 18 years
• They have Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale rate: -3 +3
• Have an Arterial line in place

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient who is expected to stay less than 24 hours in Critical care unit
• Have history of psychiatric disturbances
• Their condition does not permit use of headphones
• Have hearing impairment
• Receive neuro-muscular blockers
• Are confused
• Patients under universal conduct precautions