Use of Mentholated Popsicle in the Management of the Elderly Patient's Thirst in the Immediate Postoperative Period: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: This study aimed to compare a mentholated popsicle with usual care (absolute fasting) in the change in thirst intensity and discomfort in elderly patients in the immediate postoperative period (IPP). Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: The sample consisted of 50 elderly patients (60 years or older) in the IPP who were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental group (20 mL mentholated popsicle) and control group (usual care). The outcomes, thirst intensity and discomfort, were assessed at baseline and 20 minutes after the intervention. Findings: The mentholated popsicle presented a statistically significant (P < .001) decrease in thirst intensity and discomfort by 5.0 in the median and a Cohen's r large effect size for both outcomes. There were no adverse events or side effects. Conclusions: The use of a mentholated popsicle decreased the intensity and discomfort of the elderly patient's thirst in the IPP. (c) 2020 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study found that using a mentholated popsicle in the immediate postoperative period can significantly reduce thirst intensity and discomfort in elderly patients, with no adverse events reported.