The Women’s Recovery from Sternotomy (WREST) Study

Posted on Lily YushkoPosted in Completed Project

A randomized trial of a novel undergarment for women’s use following sternotomy

Background

  • splinting is a common strategy used to assist post-op patients move
  • clinicians often suggest that women use a supportive and comfortable brassiere post-operatively to reduce tension on incision—thereby reducing pain and discomfort a foundation for this practice
  • recommendation is based largely on clinical experience
  • empirical—clinical trial—evidence had not been offered as a foundation for this practice

Primary Objective
To examine the effect of wearing a novel undergarment during the early post-sternotomyperiod on incision and breast pain and discomfort, as well as return to function

Secondary Objective
To monitor the safety of using the undergarment in the early post-sternotomy period.

Investigators
Peter Faris, Kathryn King, Ross Tsuyuki, Gillian Currie, Andrew Maitland, Ruth Collins-Nakai

Methods

  • Intervention
    • measured by site RAs pre-operatively for size
    • donned as soon as clinically stable
    • asked to wear undergarment as much as comfortable to do so
  • Usual Care
    • no ‘standard’
    • women are often encouraged to bring own brassiere post-op; (donned approximately 2-3 daysused as desired)
    • no binding of breasts was permitted
  • Outcomes (over 12-weeks post-sternotomy)
    • incision pain and discomfort* (numeric rating scales)
    • breast pain and discomfort* (numeric rating scales)
    • analgesic use
    • functional status (Health Assessment Questionnaire)
    • sternalwound healing
    • antibiotic use
    • analgesic use

Publications:
King, K.M., et al. (2006). A randomized controlled trial of women’s early use of a novel undergarment following sternotomy: The Women’s Recovery from Sternotomy Trial (WREST). Am Heart J, 152, 1187-93. (link)

King, K.M., et al. (2008). A descriptive examination of the impact of sternal scar formation in women. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. (link)

King, K.M., et al. (2008). Women’s Recovery from Sternotomy-Extension (WREST-E) study: examining long-term pain and discomfort following sternotomy and their predictors. Am Heart J, 94, 493-497. (link)

King, K.M., et al. (2009). A descriptive examination of the impact of sternal scar formation in women. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 8, 112–118. (link)

Findings and Summary: (pdf)