Foot massage & guided relaxation improve calmness and well-being in post-op patients
Researchers at the University of Brighton in East Sussex, UK, sought to identify a safe and effective therapeutic intervention that would promote well being in post-op patients recovering from coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery - something that could easily and practically be provided by nurses on the floor. Foot massage and guided relaxation were the interventions chosen to be studied.
Twenty-five subjects were randomly assigned to either a control or one of two intervention groups - guided imagery or foot massage. Psychological and physical variables were measured immediately before and after the intervention. A discharge questionnaire was also administered.
No significant differences between physiological parameters were found. But there was a significant effect on the calm scores (ANOVA, P= 0.014). Dunnett's multiple comparison showed that this was attributable to increased calm among the massage group. Although not significant, the guided relaxation group also reported substantially higher levels of calm than control. There was a clear (nonsignificant) trend across all psychological variables for both foot massage and, to a lesser extent, guided relaxation, toward improved psychological wellbeing. Both interventions were well received by the subjects.
Foot massage and guided imagery appear to be effective, noninvasive techniques for promoting psychological wellbeing in post-op CABG patients. Further investigation is indicated.
Hattan J, King L, Griffiths P. The impact of foot massage and guided relaxation following cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2002 Jan;37 (2): pages 199-207. jenniehattan@netscapeonline.co.uk
https://www.hypnosisresearchinstitute.org/trackback.cfm?A98E1509-C09F-2A3B-F60580305A69A906
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