Thread by @VTA_Symposium

Next up are two of the Occupational Therapists from CHBAH - Marche van der Heyden and Tiffany Fairbairn - speaking on 'Sensory Stimulation in Critical Care'.
#VTA23 #critcare #FOAMcc

Sensory stimulation is emerging in critical care as a modality to re-establish normal functioning. Our senses are our connection to the world. There are 8 (not 5!) senses - auditory, olfactory, gustatory, visual, tactile/touch, vestibular, proprioception and interoception. #VTA23

The lesser known of these - vestibular, proprioception and interoception - all are key in self-soothing...
Interoception is the sense how different parts of our 'deep' body are feeling. There are a few activities that include all 8 senses - for example eating.
#VTA23

If we look at what our patients are experiencing during a period of stay in the critical care unit:
Pain - especially needle pain, wound dressings and changes in position. Pain is worse at discharge than admission

Psychological/Emotional Trauma - worse if there is use of inotropes or vasopressors, as these enhance memory integration. A few of these have been characterised:
Medical Trauma - trauma experiences as a result of medical procedures and hospital stays
#VTA23

Traumatic Toxic Stress can be a consequence of Medical Trauma, where there is a lasting effect on organ function as a result of these. These are cognitive, emotional and endocrinological.
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These effects occur as a result of the negative sensory experience that happen during the critical care period. The presenters suggest that providing positive sensory experiences may counteract some of these effects. #VTA23

These positive sensory experiences can be provided to all, not just to awake patients.
This was just an amazing talk!
#VTA23

A few resources I found (not from presenters):
sensoryhealth.org/basic/your-8-s…
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