Effects of Nighttime Noise Reduction by Using Earplugs on the Recovery of Burn Patients after Reconstructive Surgery.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effects of postoperative noise reduction by using earplugs at night on the healing time and scar quality of burn patients who underwent reconstructive surgery.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed the clinical data of adult burn patients after they underwent reconstructive surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2022 to June 2023. The patients were divided into the postoperative noise reduction group (n = 66) and the control group (n = 75) based on whether they received postoperative noise reduction. The control group received standard humanized clinical care, while the postoperative noise reduction group received additional noise-reducing care by using earplugs at night. The effects of postoperative noise reduction on wound healing time, scar quality (Vancouver Scar Scale [VSS]), psychological state (Self-rating Anxiety Scale [SAS] and Self-rating Depression Scale [SDS]), quality of life (Abbreviated Burn Specific Health Scale [BSHS-A]) and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the postoperative noise reduction group demonstrated significant differences in wound healing time (P < 0.001), VSS scores (P = 0.003), SAS scores (P = 0.005), SDS scores (P = 0.003), and BSHS-A scores (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study provides substantive evidence that postoperative noise reduction positively influences wound healing time, scar quality, quality of life, and psychological state in burn patients after reconstructive surgery. Such insight emphasized the importance of creating a healing-conducive hospital environment for burn patients, integrating noise reduction strategies as a part of holistic nursing practices to optimize recovery outcomes.