1) Several holistic healing techniques can be used in the ICU to aid patient recovery, including therapeutic touch, acupressure, relaxation techniques, meditation, biofeedback, guided imagery, and music therapy. 2) These techniques have psychological benefits like reducing stress, anxiety, and pain, as well as physiological benefits such as decreased blood pressure and cortisol levels. 3) While knowledge and awareness of holistic healing needs to increase, research shows that even brief use of these techniques can significantly improve patient well-being and health outcomes in the ICU.

1. DYNAMICS OF
HEALING IN ICU
SUDESHNA BANERJEE
M.SC (N) 2ND YEAR
HFCON

2. Critical care Nursing
The American Nurses’ Association defined Nursing as:
- “The diagnosis and treatment of human response to actual
or potential health problem”.

3. ICU PATIENTS ARE DIFFERENT
Sickest patients (multiple diagnoses, multi-organ
failure, immune-compromised, sepsis and trauma)
Not ambulant
Malnourished
May be associated Diabetics and Heart failure

4. HOLISTIC NURSING
“All nursing that has healing the whole person
as its goal”
Healing - Restoring balance and harmony,
moving toward wholeness, completion and
the integration of the totality of the person

5. Holistic focus allows healing on
many levels:
Emotional, Spiritual
Physical, Mental
Promotes wellness

7. DYNAMICS OF HEALING IN CCU

8. THERAPEUTIC TOUCH
VALUE IN IT’S EFFECTS
Psychological
Promotes Positive Mindset
• Calmness
• Clarity
Relieves Stress
Reduces Anxiety
Induces Relaxation

9. Physiological
Decreased Pain
Improves Blood Pressure
Decreased Cortisol Levels
Immune Enhancement

10. Patient Experience
Enhanced Positive Perspective
Appreciation of Care Received
Enhanced Relationship with Nurse
Increased Self Confidence
Physiological and Psychological Effects
• Improve Overall Sense of Wellbeing

11. Barriers to implementation
Knowledge & Awareness
Need for Increased Awareness
Western Medical Culture
Associated with Spirituality
Intangible Energy

12. ACUPRESSURE
It is a Chinese massage technique
Acupressure involves application of manual
pressure usually with fingertips to specific points on the body
Uses moderate to firm pressure on various points on
meridians that course through out the body
Releasing blockages on the points opens the meridians &
allows energy to flow, bringing the body into balance &
harmony

13. Mechanism of action
Energy flows through the various channels irrigating and
nourishing the tissues
Energy flows through the various channels irrigating and
nourishing the tissues
Acupuncture helps internal organs to correct imbalances in
digestion, absorption and energy production
Stimulation of endorphins and hormones

14. Precautions
Acupressure should never be painful
Pressure should be gentle
Avoid Osteoporosis, Bruising ,bleeding
disorders,Circulatory problems-Diabetes,Anticoagulant
therapy/Antiplatelet medications(Warfarin)
Else can be done under supervision of a qualified therapist

15. Benefits of acupressure
• Relieve stress and tension
• Relax mind and body
• Increase blood circulation
• Aid in the removal of toxic wastes
• Provide relief from head, neck and shoulder aches
• Promote the healing of injuries
• Increase energy levels
• Increase overall feeling of well-being

16. RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
The aim of relaxation therapy is to quiet the mind;
to allow thoughts to flow in a smooth, level rhythm,
and induce the relaxation response
 This mental quiet allows for rest and rejuvenation
that does not
always occur, even during
sleep

17. Basic elements of relaxation technique are:
A quite environment
A comfortable position
Focused attention
A passive attitude, practice

18. Tips for Doing Relaxation:
Set aside 30 – 45 minutes
NOT after a meal
Quiet, distraction-free environment
Dim lights
Warm temperature
Loose clothing
Lie down or sit in a
comfortable chair

19. Meditation
Autogenic training
Progressive relaxation
Biofeedback
Yoga
Diaphragmatic breathing
Massage
Repetitive prayer
All are designed to produce the relaxation response:

20. Meditation
Grounded in Eastern culture by
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Purpose is to gain control over your attention (focus)
Meditation is generally an internal, personal practice & done
without any external involvement, except perhaps prayer bends
to count prayers, candle flames etc.
Nadam – imagined sound, Mantra – silently repeated words or
phrases are done during meditation

21. Benefits of Meditation
Physiological Effects
Learn to control HR and respiration
Decreased muscle tension
Decreased oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide
production
Increased peripheral blood flow to the arms and legs

22. Psychological Effects
Reduces anxiety
Reduces test anxiety
Greater self-actualization
Improved sleep behavior
Decreased smoking and drug abuse
Headache relief
General state of positive mental health

23. BIOFEEDBACK
The use of instrumentation to mirror psycho-physiological
processes of which the individual is not normally aware and which
may be brought under voluntary control
Biofeedback Modalities
Electromyography (EMG)
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Galvanic skin response
Heart rate
Respiration rate
Skin temperature

24. Benefits of Biofeedback
Physiological Effects
Effective in treating asthma,
spasticity, ulcers, muscle spasms, stroke,
migraine and tension headaches, colitis,
disease, scoliosis

25. Psychological Effects
Shown to improve phobias, anxiety, stage
insomnia, alcoholism, drug abuse,
hyperactivity, sexual dysfunction, pain
stuttering

26. Disadvantages of Biofeedback
Availability
Cost
Dependence on equipment
Have to learn another relaxation technique
anyway

27. GUIDED IMAGERY
A technique of using the imagination to visualize a soothing,
pleasant image
Guided Imagery is linked to Carl Roger’s (1902-1987) client- or
person centred therapy which focuses on the potential to grow
and change
It focuses and directs the imagination and it involves far more
than just the visual sense. All senses are involved during guided
imagery
It mobilizes pre-conscious and unconscious processes to assist
with conscious goals => altered state of consciousness

28. Main aims of Guided Imagery:
Relaxation
Improve Learning
Personality Development
Mental and Physical Health

29. Procedure:
Simple imagery suggestions are given to a client by a
trained practitioner
Group sessions are possible
Breathing in and out and connect the inhale with a positive
image (e.g. energy) and the exhale with a negative image
for the anxiety

30. cont…
The image suggestions given to a client are related to the main
course of the patient's problem by providing a direction toward
the solution
Placebo effect
Body and mind responding as the image is real
We are watching a movie and we are tearful and even crying.
Rationally we are aware that this is only a movie but the
physiological response (tears/laughing) and emotional response
(sad/happy) is as this is real

31. Effects of guided imagery
Over the past 25 years, the effectiveness of Guided Imagery
has been increasingly established by research findings that
demonstrate its positive impact on health, learning and
performance
It was verified that 10 minutes of GI can reduce blood
pressure, lower cholesterol, reduces anxiety and
depression symptoms and increases serotonin levels

32. Music therapy
An interpersonal process in which the therapist uses music to
help clients to improve or maintain their health
Used with individuals of all ages and with a variety
of conditions
To help patients make changes in their lives so as to
adjust better to or overcome obstacles

33. Two applications of music therapy:
Music for its inherent healing qualities
Mean for self expression, interaction within a
therapeutic relationship

34. Biological basis of music therapy
Listening to music releases neurochemicals such as:
• Prolactin
• Oxytocin
• Dopamine
Specific parts of brain involved in perceiving different music
elements:
• Pitch, harmony, melody, loudness, rhythm
• E.g. specific neurons in the auditory cortex are tuned to perceived
specific pitches
Some of the areas are involved: auditory cortex, motor prefontal
cortex , sensory cortex, visual cortex, nucleus accumbens &
amygdala, hippocampus & so on.

35. Benefits of music therapy
Music therapy strengthens memories
It improves overall mood and emotional well-being
It helps manage pain without the use of drugs
It helps increase their social interactions with others
Promote positive changes in the wellbeing of an individual

36. Cont…
Stimulates a relaxation
response which can therefore lead
to physiological changes in the body
Processed in both hemispheres of the brain and this
stimulation has been shown to help in development of
language and speech functions
Music encourages verbal as well as non verbal
communication and promotes social interaction and
relatedness