<p>Implications of Bed Rest for Patients with Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Qualitative Study</p>

Abstract

Background/Objective The recommendation of bed rest for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) patients has changed during the last 20 years, and it has become a concern for researchers. The existing researches on potentially harmful treatment of bed rest for DVT patients focus only on physiological outcomes. This qualitative study explored the implications of bed rest from the perspective of patients with acute DVT. Understanding these implications will provide more evidence on whether bed rest should be used as a medical treatment of acute DVT. Patients and Methods For data collection, a descriptive qualitative design utilizing semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews with nine patients with acute DVT was conducted. In order to find the themes and subthemes emerging from the interviews for data analysis, the Colaizzi method, which was suggested by phenomenological methodology, was used. Results The four major themes found were physical effects, psychological effects, social effects, and post-trauma growth. These themes illustrated the bed rest experiences of patients and it has a negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) amidst acute DVT. Conclusion Bed rest for patients with acute DVT is a physically, emotionally, and socially distressing phenomenon that simultaneously affects QOL and induces post-traumatic growth. We believe that bed rest is not beneficial to the physical and mental health of patients with acute DVT. This study adds to the available evidence on the harmful effect of bed rest as a treatment from the perspective of patients with acute DVT. Further quantitative studies should compare the quality of life and psychosocial status of patients with and without bed rest amidst acute DVT.

Endothelial cells and SARS-CoV-2: An intimate relationship

“…VWF parameters were also increased in critically ill patients. It is noteworthy to mention that patients undergoing bed rest for long periods are at a higher risk of developing deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) even without the added pressure from COVID-19 [ 82 , 83 ], and DVT can also be caused by other types of viruses [ 84 ].…”

Benefits of early mobilization in patients with deep venous thrombosis: a scope review

“…Patients who walked had a 38% higher risk of developing PE than patients confined to bed. Qualitative study, conducted by Gong et al (22), carried out through standardized interviews with patients with acute DVT hospitalized with absolute restriction in bed, in order to understand the meaning and experience of the participants in this situation, the feeling, perception and reaction of each one. From the interviews, the following results were found: bed rest for patients with acute DVT is a physical, emotional and socially distressing phenomenon that simultaneously affects quality of life.…”

“…This review already discussed the data that corroborate the aforementioned results. However, it remains to be seen in new studies how beneficial immobilization can be, and when it would be the best time to mobilize patients with initial signs of PE (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). According to Izcovic et al (20), early walking is constructive reducing pain in the affected limb, the progression of DVT, and it does not increase the risk of thromboembolism.…”

“…Additionally, Gong et al (22) showed that bed rest affects the quality of life of patients with DVT because it is a physical, emotional, and socially distressing phenomenon, thus not being beneficial for the physical and mental aspects of these individuals. Furthermore, these researchers also believe that more quantitative studies are needed to compare the life quality and psychosocial status of acute DVT patients treated with or without bed rest as part of their recovery plan (22). Romera-Villegas et al ( 24), Aschwanden et al (25), and Partsch & Blättler (26) established in their studies that patients who walked had a higher risk of developing new PE than those who were resting in bed.…”