Relaxation Techniques for Pain Management During Dressing in Adult Burn Patients: Evidence-Based Nursing

Background: Burn injuries, resulting from various sources such as heat, electricity, friction, or radiation, often require wound dressing, a process known to be a significant source of pain for patients. In managing this pain, non-pharmacological interventions, including relaxation techniques, have shown promise as adjuncts to pharmacological approaches. This study aimed to review current evidence on relaxation techniques for pain management during wound dressing of burn patients and provide recommendations based on the findings. Method: Using the PICO framework by Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2015), a systematic search was conducted across databases from 2001 to 2016, yielding six randomized controlled trials and two quasi-experimental studies. Results: The synthesis of evidence identified relaxation breathing, music-based imagery, and music alternate engagement as the most effective interventions for pain management during wound dressing of burn patients. These techniques were beneficial for mentally alert patients without visual or auditory impairment, covering 1% to 43% of the total body surface area. Conclusion: Nurses should assess patient readiness and use validated tools such as the visual analog scale to evaluate pain levels before, during, and after dressing changes. Based on the findings, a nursing practice guideline for pain management during wound dressing in adult burn patients is recommended for implementation in Bangladesh. Further research is needed to explore additional relaxation techniques and their efficacy in this context.