Cold application for pain and anxiety reduction following chest tube removal: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim and objectives: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of cold application on pain and anxiety reduction after chest tube removal (CTR).

Background: The act of removing the chest tube often causes pain among cardiothoracic surgery patients. Most guidelines regarding CTR do not mention pain management. The effects of cold application on reducing pain and anxiety after CTR are inconsistent.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched six databases, including Embase, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, the Index to Taiwan Periodical Literature System and Airiti Library, to identify relevant articles up to the end of February 2021. We limited the language to English and Chinese and the design to randomised controlled trials (RCTs). All studies were reviewed by two independent investigators. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to assess the risk of bias, Review Manager 5.4 was used to conduct the meta-analysis. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was used for assessing certainty of evidence (CoE).

Results: Ten RCTs with 683 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The use of cold application could effectively reduce pain and anxiety after CTR. The subgroup showed that a skin temperature drops to 13°C of cold application was significantly more effective for the immediate reduction in pain intensity after CTR compared with control group. The GRADE methodology demonstrated that CoE was very low level.

Conclusion: Cold application is a safe and easy-to-administer nonpharmacological method with immediate and persistent effects on pain and anxiety relief after CTR. Skin temperature drops to 13°C or lasts 20 min of cold application were more effective for immediate reduction of pain intensity following CTR.

Relevance to clinical practice: In addition to pharmacological strategy, cold application could be used as evidence for reducing pain intensity and anxiety level after CTR.

Keywords: anxiety; chest tube removal; cold application; meta-analysis; pain; systematic review.