Table 1 Classification of comfort interventions by Comfort Theory
Categories | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Technical | Interventions designed to maintain homeostasis and manage pain | Monitoring of vital signs, blood chemistries, administration of pain medications |
Coaching | Interventions designed to relieve anxiety, provide reassurance and information, promote hope, listen and help plan realistically for recovery, integration or death in a culturally sensitive way | Emotional support, reassurance, education |
Comfort food for the soul | Comfort measures that target transcendence, making patients feel strengthened in an intangible, personalised sort of way | Massage, guided imagery, music therapy |