Sensory and Cognitive Exercises After Heart Surgery in the ICU

After open-heart surgery, patients spend time in the intensive care unit (ICU) recovering. This study is testing whether simple, non-medication interventions—like listening to calming music, using pleasant scents like lavender, doing hand massage with therapy balls, or doing cognitive exercises like word games—might help patients recover faster and feel less anxious. Researchers want to see if adding these activities to standard ICU care makes a real difference in how quickly patients regain their strength and independence.

In the ICU, patients are often in quiet, limited environments after major surgery, which can increase anxiety and slow down physical and mental recovery. While doctors know that early movement is helpful, researchers haven't fully studied whether adding sensory activities—like music, pleasant smells, and touch—can boost recovery even more when combined together.