Effect of Non- pharmacological Palliative Methods Training on Sickle Cell Anemia Outcomes

Background Drugs used by patients with sickle cell anemia to relieve pain have side effects, so the use of non-pharmacological palliative methods (such as massage, muscle relaxation, heat, drinking fluids, etc.) can be considered. We aimed to determine effect of non-pharmacological palliative methods training among adolescents with sickle cell anemia. Materials and Methods In this clinical trial, 60 adolescents with sickle cell anemia attending Shafa Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2018 participated. After obtaining informed consent and expressing the objective of the research, patients were randomly divided into two equal groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received three 90-minute sessions training about non-pharmacological relief methods. Both groups completed the pain care form in the 4th, 6th and 8th week after the intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 23.0). Results Results showed that the mean of pain severity in the studied periods was significantly different between the two intervention and control groups (p<0.05). Overall, the mean pain intensity in the intervention group in the 4th, 6th and 8th weeks after the intervention was lower than the control group (p<0.05). Rate of referrals in the intervention group significantly decreased after intervention, while in the control group, it increased significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion Based on the results, non-pharmacological palliative methods (such as respectively, massage, muscle relaxation, heat, drinking fluids, thought deviation and guided imagery), can be used as a safe method for reducing pain.