eISSN 2097-6046
ISSN 2096-7446
CN 10-1655/R
Responsible Institution:China Association for Science and Technology
Sponsor:Chinese Nursing Association

Chinese Journal of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing ›› 2026, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (7): 827-835.doi: 10.3761/j.issn.2096-7446.2026.07.008

• Special Planning—Pain Management in Emergency and Critical Illness • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A study on the construction of evidence map for non-pharmacological analgesia in critically ill patients

HAN Jianping1(), REN Yaxing1, LI Ying1, HOU Pengxiao1, WANG Yali2, E Haiyan3,*()   

  1. 1 Intensive Care UnitDongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijing 100078, China
    2 Traditional Chinese Medicine Non-Pharmaceutical Outpatient ClinicDongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijing 100078, China
    3 Department of NursingDongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese MedicineBeijing 100078, China
  • Received:2025-09-02 Online:2026-07-10 Published:2026-07-01
  • Contact: *E Haiyan,E-mail:dy-809@163.com
  • Supported by:
    National High Level Chinese Medicine Hospital Clinical Research Funding(DFRC-QHTS2025-006)

Abstract:

Objective To systematically describe and evaluate the current situation and relevant evidence of non-pharmaceutical intervention for pain in critically ill patients,to provide evidence-based support for the application of non-pharmaceutical analgesia in clinical practice. Methods PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,CINAHL,CNKI,VIP,and Wanfang databases were retrieved to obtain systematic reviews or meta-analyses of pain in critically ill patients with non-pharmaceutical interventions in the past 10 years. Literature was screened strictly in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria,and the methodological quality of the included literature was evaluated using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2(AMSTAR 2). The relevant information of the included literature was comprehensively presented by using the evidence map. Results A total of 15 articles were included in this study,including 7 non-pharmaceutical analgesic measures:virtual reality technology,acupuncture therapy,massage,music intervention,guided imagery,spiritual care,and aromatherapy. The included literature suggested that non-pharmacological interventions had a certain effect in relieving pain in critically ill patients. The quality evaluation results showed that the overall methodological quality of the papers was low,with 2 papers rated as high,4 as intermediate,6 as low,and 3 as very low. The results of the evidence map showed that the conclusions of 4 studies were beneficial,9 were possibly beneficial,1 had no differential effect,and 1 was uncertain. Conclusion The current evidence shows that non-pharmacological interventions can relieve pain in critically ill patients,but the methodological quality of relevant studies needs to be improved. It is suggested that standardized and high-quality research should be carried out in the future to provide more scientific and reliable evidence to support non-pharmacological interventions for pain in critically ill patients.

Key words: Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention, Critically Ill Patients, Pain, Evidence Map, Evidence-Based Nursing