A randomized trial of massage therapy after heart surgery.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To determine whether massage therapy improves postoperative mood, pain, anxiety, and physiologic measurements; shortens hospital stay; and decreases occurrence of atrial fibrillation.

METHODS:

Two hundred fifty-two adults undergoing cardiac surgery were randomized to usual postoperative care (n=126) or usual care plus two massages (n=126). Assessments of mood, depression, anxiety, pain, physiologic status, cardiac rhythm, and hospital length of stay were completed. Logistic and linear regressions were performed.

RESULTS:

Preoperative pain, mood, and affective state scores were positively associated with postoperative scores; however, there were no postoperative differences between groups for any measures (P=.11 to .93). There were no differences in physiologic variables except lower postoperative blood pressure after massage (P = .01). Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurrence (P = .6) and median postoperative hospital length of stay (P = .4) were similar between groups.

CONCLUSION:

Massage therapy is feasible in cardiac surgical patients; however, it does not yield therapeutic benefit. Nevertheless, it should be a patient-selected and -paid option.

• Authors: Nancy M Albert, A Marc Gillinov, Bruce W Lytle, Jingyuan Feng, Roberta Cwynar, Eugene H Blackstone
• Journal: Heart & lung : the journal of critical care (Heart Lung) 2009 Nov-Dec Vol. 38 Issue 6 Pg. 480-90 ISSN: 1527-3288 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19944872 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anxiety (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Atrial Fibrillation (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Cardiac Surgical Procedures (nursing, psychology, rehabilitation)
• Causality
• Depression (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Female
• Humans
• Length of Stay (statistics & numerical data)
• Linear Models
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Massage
• Middle Aged
• Mood Disorders (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Postoperative Care (nursing)
• Young Adult