title: The effects of back massage before diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Admission to the hospital for a diagnostic cardiac catheterization can be perceived as a threat to one's health status. Autonomic nervous system arousal, particularly the sympathetic division, can elicit negative physiological and psychological human responses as a reaction to this threat.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of a 20-minute back massage on the physiological and psychological human responses of patients admitted for a diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized clinical trial design was used. Data were compared in a repeated measures design before massage (T1), immediately following the back massage or standard care (T2), and 10 minutes later (T3).
  
  
  METHODS
  A large urban academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six subjects admitted from home for a diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, respiration, peripheral skin temperature, pain perception, and psychological state.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 20-minute back massage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between subject effect for group, with a reduction in systolic blood pressure in the treatment group (F = 8.6, P < .05). In addition, main effects were noted for time for diastolic blood pressure (F = 5.44; P < .006), respiration (F = 10.6; P < .005), total Profile of Mood States score (F = 5.9; P < .001) and pain perception (F = 4.09; P < .04) in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 20-minute back massage appeared to reduce systolic blood pressure in patients awaiting a diagnostic cardiac catheterization, while preparatory time in the cardiac catheterization laboratory appeared to reduce diastolic blood pressure, respiration, perceived psychological distress, and pain.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: Diann C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Burnham
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Diane L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Carroll
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001415:Back; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001831:Body Temperature; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012119:Respiration; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome