Analysis of Researches on the Warming Therapy for Surgical Patients

Jun, Jumyi

Abstract

PURPOSE
The main question is systematic review of the published in Korea and foreign countries on warming therapy for surgical patients.
METHODS
The researchers searched at Medline, CINAHL, KERIS, Adult Nursing Association, Korean Society of Nursing Science, Korean Academy of fundamentals of Nursing, and National Assembly Library web site for the published on warming therapy for surgical patients from 1980 to 2008. Words for search were operation/surgery, warming, operation/surgery and warming. Studies were included randomized controlled trial, and there were no restrictions regarding operative phase and outcome measures.
RESULTS
36 published researches that met the criteria were mostly published in foreign countries between 2000 and 2008 and focused on surgery with general anesthesia. Sample size ranged from 21 to 60 subjects, age range between 21 and 60 years of age. Thirty different warming therapies were reported, fifty-two different dependent variables. Outcome indicators included active external warming, intra-operative, and body temperature. 'Positive effects' and 'no effects' equaled. The most frequently reported 'positive effects' were body temperature, shivering, and acid-base balance. No effects were more likely to be heart rate, blood pressure, and hemodynamics.
CONCLUSION
Many types of warming therapy, are reported in the literature with little information about the efficacy of each, many different dependant variables were studied. There were no consistent reports as to length of time used for warming procedures. Overall, the effects of warming therapy are inconsistent. And additional research must be down before any particular method of warming can be used with confidence as to its effectiveness. Attention must be made as to the research design, better measurement of the dependent variables. This review may serve as a base.