The effectiveness of cold oral stimuli in quenching postoperative thirst: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Han-Yi Tsai; Anne Chao; Wei-Ling Hsiao

doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2022.103359

The effectiveness of cold oral stimuli in quenching postoperative thirst: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 2023 Apr:75:103359. doi: 10.1016/j.iccn.2022.103359. Epub 2022 Dec 17.

Authors

Han-Yi Tsai¹, Anne Chao², Wei-Ling Hsiao³

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No 1, Sec 1, Jen-Ai Rd, Taipei 10051, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No 201, Sec 2, Shipai Rd, Beitou District, Taipei 11217, Taiwan. Electronic address: d06426001@ntu.edu.tw.
² Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Zhongshan S. Rd, Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei 100225, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No 1, Sec 1, Jen-Ai Rd, Taipei 10051, Taiwan.
³ School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No 1, Sec 1, Jen-Ai Rd, Taipei 10051, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Zhongshan S. Rd, Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei 100225, Taiwan. Electronic address: 101501@ntuh.gov.tw.

PMID: 36535871
DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2022.103359

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of cold oral stimuli in quenching postoperative thirst in patients undergoing surgery.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies.

Setting: Postoperative care units.

Methods: Seven electronic databases (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, CINHAL, PsycInfo, and EMBASE) were systematically searched from their inception to January 12, 2022. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was followed. Two researchers examined the study quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tools. A meta-analysis with a subgroup analysis was performed. Sensitivity analysis, funnel plots and Egger's test were used to examine publication bias.

Main outcome measure: A thirst intensity score was used to rate postoperative thirst.

Results: Data were collected from 11 interventional studies for this systematic review. Eight studies underwent a meta-analysis with a total of 1504 patients. Our meta-analysis showed that the thirst intensity scores decreased in the experimental groups by 1.42 points (95% confidence interval: -2.162 to -0.684) more than those of the control groups. Subgroup analysis indicated that Asian patients and age were two factors that moderated the thirst intensity score after applying cold oral stimuli.

Conclusion: Cold oral stimuli were effective in mitigating postoperative thirst. Ice products such as ice cubes, or ice chips are easily available in postoperative units. When applying cold oral stimuli, health professionals should be aware of that in Asian and older patients. Cultural acceptance and physiological degeneration, respectively, may influence the thirst ratings. Future research should investigate various factors underlying the perioperative period. Network meta-analysis can be used to examine multiple strategies for thirst management.

Keywords: Cold oral stimuli; Meta-analysis; Postoperative care; Quench thirst.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review
Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Ice*
Thirst* / physiology

Substances

Ice