| Summary: | Abstract Background Various sensory stimuli, including verbal communication, can influence patients' consciousness level, pain perception, and agitation in intensive care units (ICU). This study aimed to explore the impact of verbal communication on the consciousness level, pain, and agitation of anesthetized patients admitted to ICU. Methods In this randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT), participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group (n = 35) and a control group (n = 35). Patients in the intervention group received verbal communication twice a day for 10 days, while the control group received routine care. The level of consciousness, pain, and agitation of patients in both groups were assessed before and 15 min after verbal communication. Demographic questionnaires and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Behavior Pain Scale and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale were used to collect data. Data were analyzed by SPSS 25 using t-test, Chi-square and repeated measures ANCOVA test. Results No significant differences were found between the two groups (verbal communication and control) concerning demographic variables (p > 0.05). Before the intervention, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of pain (P = 0.17). However, significant differences were noted in agitation and the level of consciousness (P < 0.05). Comparing the 10-day intervention period, a significant difference in the variables of level of consciousness, pain, and agitation was observed between the verbal communication and control groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that verbal communication had a positive impact on the level of consciousness, pain, and agitation of anesthetized patients in ICUs. Implementing verbal communication as an intervention by nurses can be an effective approach in medical centers. Ethical code IR.RUMS.REC.1398.189. Clinical trial registration code IRCT20150519022320N22; 8/05/2020.
|
|---|
