Effect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and tension in cardiac surgical patients: a pilot study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the role of massage therapy in reducing pain, anxiety, tension, and improving satisfaction in cardiac surgery patients during the postoperative period.
Results Summary
The study found statistically and clinically significant decreases in pain, anxiety, and tension scores for patients who received massage therapy compared to standard care. Patient feedback was highly positive, suggesting massage may be beneficial for postoperative recovery.
Population
Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgical procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular repair or replacement) (N=58).
Effective Dosage
20-minute session of massage therapy between postoperative days 2 and 5.
Duration
Single 20-minute session administered once between postoperative days 2 and 5.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
massage therapy | decrease | pain scores | Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgical procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular repair or replacement) | - | Statistically and clinically significant decreases | #1 |
massage therapy | decrease | anxiety scores | Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgical procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular repair or replacement) | - | Statistically and clinically significant decreases | #2 |
massage therapy | decrease | tension scores | Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgical procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular repair or replacement) | - | Statistically and clinically significant decreases | #3 |
massage therapy | increase | satisfaction | Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgical procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular repair or replacement) | - | Patient feedback was markedly positive | #4 |
OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of massage therapy in the cardiac surgery postoperative period. Specific aims included determining the difference in pain, anxiety, tension, and satisfaction scores of patients before and after massage compared with patients who received standard care. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes before and after intervention in and across groups. SETTING: Saint Marys Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. SUBJECTS: Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgical procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular repair or replacement) (N=58). INTERVENTIONS: Patients in the intervention group received a 20-minute session of massage therapy intervention between postoperative days 2 and 5. Patients in the control group received standard care and a 20-minute quiet time between postoperative days 2 and 5. OUTCOME MEASURES: Linear Analogue Self-assessment scores for pain, anxiety, tension, and satisfaction. RESULTS: Statistically and clinically significant decreases in pain, anxiety, and tension scores were observed for patients who received a 20-minute massage compared with those who received standard care. Patient feedback was markedly positive. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed that massage can be successfully incorporated into a busy cardiac surgical practice. These results suggest that massage may be an important therapy to consider for inclusion in the management of postoperative recovery of cardiovascular surgical patients.