Effects of position change on lumbar pain and discomfort of Korean patients after invasive percutaneous coronary intervention: a RCT study

[Purpose] This study sought to examine the effects of position change on lumbar pain and discomfort of Korean patients after invasive percutaneous coronary intervention. [Subjects and Methods] The participants consisted of 48 patients (experimental: n=24, control: n=24) who underwent invasive coronary intervention (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) in K hospital, Seoul, Korea. A randomized controlled trial design was used. Position changes as the experimental treatment were sequenced as follows: supine position for one hour after removal of the catheter; 30-degree bed-elevated lateral position for one hour; 30-degree bed elevation for one hour; and finally 30-degree bed-elevated lateral position for one hour. The thirty degree bed-elevated lateral position was intended to press on the surgical site. Measures used were the general characteristics form, Visual Analogue Scale for lumbar pain, and discomfort scale. [Results] There were significant differences on lumbar pain and discomfort of Korean patients after invasive coronary intervention between the experimental and control groups. [Conclusion] Position change was an effective intervention for decreasing lumbar pain and discomfort of Korean patients after invasive coronary intervention. Health professionals need to consider an array of methods including position change for patients after invasive coronary intervention.