title: Family-focused interventions.
abstract: CATs are interventions that should be considered by critical care nurses when planning interventions for meeting the needs of families of critically ill patients. More research is needed on the effect of family members providing CAT to critically ill patients and what forms of CAT are most effective. Comparison studies of CAT being provided by certified providers versus family members are needed. Using CAT for family members may be useful in reducing their levels of stress and anxiety and therefore reducing negative physiologic and psychologic responses to stress.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, PO Box 4004, Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004, USA. mirrmp@uwec.edu
authors.forename: Michaelene P Mirr
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: Nola A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Schmitt
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness; D022143:Family Nursing; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage; D009732:Nursing Care; D019124:Therapeutic Touch