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Effects of therapeutic massage on pre‐operative anxiety in a rural hospital: part 1
Author(s) -
RIET PAMELA VAN DER
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1584.1993.tb00081.x
Subject(s) - massage , anxiety , medicine , physical therapy , nursing care , trait anxiety , significant difference , nursing , alternative medicine , psychiatry , pathology
In recent years massage has been the subject of increasing interest within health care, yet nursing literature reflects a lack of research in the area of massage. This paper will examine a study of the effects of massage on pre‐operative anxiety. Sixty general surgical patients and gynaecological patients from a rural hospital were selected for this research. They were between 18 and 85 years of age. Combined qualitative and quantitative methods were used. However, part one of this paper will explore only the quantitative methodology. The treatment group consisted of thirty patients who underwent a 45 minute pre‐operative massage. The aim of the quantitative method was to assess the patient's level of anxiety and to see if there was any difference in anxiety in those patients who were massaged and those who were not. The tool used to measure the patient's anxiety level was Spielberger's state and trait anxiety inventory. The amount of analgesia and the length of hospital stay were also compared in both groups. It is evident from this study that massage reduces the client's anxiety pre‐operative. However, it was difficult to substantiate the effects on analgesia and length of hospital stay.