The Impact of Local Heat Therapy on Comfort and Physiological Parameters in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Mahtab Farahani, Mohamad Golitaleb, Azam Moslemi, Mohadese Shahrodi, Elahe Dolati, Saeed Sadrnia, Masoumeh Garshasbi, Mehdi HaroraniAbstract
Background:
Acute coronary syndrome leads to disturbances in physiological parameters and reduces patient comfort due to the nature of the disease and its associated complications. This study examined the effect of local heat therapy on the comfort and physiological parameters of patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Materials and Methods:
This clinical trial utilized a block randomization method to allocate 80 patients with acute coronary syndrome into two groups of 40 participants each. In the intervention group, a heat pack warmed in water to 75 °C was wrapped in a special towel and applied to the posterior thoracic region (T4–T11 vertebrae). During the intervention, the patient lay in the supine position on the heat pack. Each heat therapy session lasted 23 minutes. In the control group, a similar heat pack was used at a temperature of 37°C. Heat therapy was performed every 12 hours for 2 days (a total of four sessions). The Kolkaba Comfort Questionnaire and physiological parameters were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Data analysis was performed with statistical significance established at
Results:
Before the intervention, no significant differences were found between the groups. However, at the end of the intervention, heat therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome significantly increased comfort, regulation of physiological parameters was observed, and enhanced oxygen saturation (
Conclusions:
Heat therapy can be used as a safe and complementary intervention alongside modern medicine to enhance comfort and regulate physiological parameters in patients with acute coronary syndrome.