Effectiveness of a Thirst Relief Program in Reducing Thirst Intensity and Distress Among ICU Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Thirst is a common and distressing symptom among patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) but is often overlooked because of its subjective nature and patients' limited ability to communicate discomfort. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured nurse-led thirst relief program in reducing thirst intensity and thirst-related distress among ICU patients.

METHOD: A two-group randomized controlled trial was conducted in the medical, surgical, and neurological ICUs of Qaem and Imam Reza hospitals, Mashhad. Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 41) or the control group (n = 41). The intervention group received a structured thirst relief program from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., including cold water spray, moist oral swabs, and 0.1% menthol lip application. Thirst intensity was assessed every two hours using a Numeric Rating Scale, and thirst-related distress was measured before and after the intervention using the Thirst Distress Scale for Heart Failure. The control group received routine ICU care. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between groups. Thirst intensity decreased in both groups but was significantly lower in the intervention group at 8:00 p.m. (median 6.0 [Q1-Q3: 5.0-7.0] vs. 6.0 [6.0-7.0], p = 0.035). Post-intervention thirst distress was also significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (15.8 ± 4.1 vs. 23.7 ± 3.7, p < 0.001), with a greater mean reduction in thirst distress (9.9 ± 4.5 vs. 2.5 ± 2.1, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A structured nurse-led thirst relief program effectively reduced both thirst intensity and thirst-related distress among ICU patients. Given its simplicity, low cost, and non-invasive nature, this intervention can be integrated into routine ICU nursing care to improve patient comfort. Further multicenter studies are warranted to confirm its long-term effectiveness across diverse clinical settings.