CAM has entered new territory. The first randomized study of the effect of complementary and alternative therapies on heart surgery patients was recently held at Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the results are looking good.

The study included 104 men and women who were divided into two groups — those who received CAM treatment — conscious relaxation, light massage, music therapy — during the preoperative and recovery periods and those who received traditional care.

While the lucky recipients of CAM had similar heart rates and blood pressure as the traditional group, their post-operative pain and tension was significantly lower — 2.4 vs. 3.5 on day one of recovery and 1.3 vs. 2.1 on day two.

"Our study demonstrates the importance of incorporating complementary alternative therapies into the care of heart surgery patients," said Vibhu R. Kshettry, MD, a cardiovascular surgeon from the Minneapolis Heart Institute. "Heart surgery is often associated with deep, visceral postoperative pain that, if left untreated, can compromise recovery and contribute to patient distress. Alternative therapies reduce that pain."

[via Yahoo and Business Wire]

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