Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction: A Survey and Randomized Trial of Heart Surgery Patients Treated with an Integrative Therapies Package

Study of:

The purpose of this study is to compare standard, compassionate medical care that is usual for heart surgery patients with that care plus an additional integrative/complementary therapies treatment package before and after heart surgery. A total of 150 patients will be randomized (like the flip of a coin) to either the control or the intervention group.

In addition, the study is done to survey the use of integrative/complementary therapies by cardiovascular patients at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the Minneapolis Heart Institute, to survey patient satisfaction with this approach to cardiovascular care and to describe the quality of life and health of the patients enrolled. The association between integrative therapies and post surgery complications will also be analyzed. The hypothesis is that patients who participate in their care and feel some measure of control will experience fewer complications.

The package pre-surgery will consist of relaxation skills training with guided imagery provided by a healing coach and gentle touch/massage provided by a qualified body/energy work practitioner. After surgery, taped music for relaxation purposes will be offered for 20 minutes once a day for days one and two. Three choices will be available to patients (classical, light and soft popular music, and country western). These choices will meet literature-based criteria for relaxing music. Patients will be encouraged to use music for relaxation purposes as needed at other times during the hospitalization. On transfer from the Intensive Care Unit (usually day two) a second 30 minute gentle touch/massage treatment will be provided.

It is hoped that patients who perceive better quality of life, less physical pain and anxiety and fewer complications will be more satisfied with services and thus return to Abbott Northwestern Hospital and The Minneapolis Heart Institute for heart care. It is also expected that the experience of connecting the body, mind, and spirit through participation in integrative therapies will cause the patient to improve post surgery self-care and health maintenance practices, and therefore improve their quality of life.

Vib R. Kshettry, MD

Linda Flies Carole, PsyD, LP

For more information about this study or other research studies at the Minneapolis Heart Institute and Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, please contact Terri Streufert at 612-863-7821.