The Effect of Cold Therapy in Reducing Pain among Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Patients: A Systematic Literature Review

Authors

  • Indra Gilang Pamungkas Department of Health, Politeknik Negeri Subang, Subang, Indonesia, 41211 Indonesia
  • Aliana Dewi Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Binawan University, East Jakarta, 13630 Indonesia
  • Aan Sutandi Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Binawan University, East Jakarta, 13630 Indonesia
  • Yuli Utami Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Binawan University, East Jakarta, 13630 Indonesia
  • Endang Sulistiowati National Heart Centre Harapan Kita, West Jakarta, 11420 Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2025.v17i02.026

Abstract

Background: Postoperative pain following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery can influence patients’ adaptive responses across multiple domains, including physiological function, role performance, self-concept, interdependence, and overall quality of life. It indicates that postoperative pain must be addressed immediately. Cold therapy is a nursing intervention that is safe, cost-effective, and easy to perform, and is considered to reduce post-CABG surgery pain. However, the duration and other procedural measures still need to be discussed. Objectives: This study aimed to review the effect of cold therapy on pain intensity among patients post CABG surgery. Methods: This study used a systematic review method. Articles were taken from four databases, such as ProQuest, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Sage Journal. The process of searching and selecting articles followed PRISMA guidelines starting from identification and screening and including articles in the study. The selection criteria for the included articles required that the study population consist of postoperative Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) patients, the intervention involve the use of cold therapy or cold compresses, and the reported outcomes measure patients’ pain levels. Only studies published in English or Indonesian were considered. Article assessment was carried out using JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute, critical appraisal checklists) so that eight articles were reviewed. Results: Eight out of 5556 articles were selected based on a defined process and criteria. Of the eight articles analysed, the results showed that there is a significant effect of cold therapy interventions on pain in patients post-CABG. Cold therapy involves using ice packs for 10 to 20 minutes, applied to the chest area with a cloth bandage at temperatures ranging from -5°C to 5°C. Conclusions: Cold therapy is effective for reducing pain based on the eight articles that have been analysed and recommended to be carried out as a nursing therapeutic intervention.

Keywords:

Cold Therapy, Coronary Artery Bypass, Cryotherapies, Pain

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References

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Published

29-10-2025

How to Cite

Pamungkas, I. G. ., Dewi, A. ., Sutandi, A., Utami, Y., & Sulistiowati, E. . (2025). The Effect of Cold Therapy in Reducing Pain among Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Patients: A Systematic Literature Review. The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN), 17(2), 269-279. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2025.v17i02.026

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