title: Postoperative arm massage: a support for women with lymph node dissection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the usefulness of arm massage from a significant other following lymph node dissection surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial with a pretest-posttest design. Data were collected prior to surgery, within 24 hours post surgery, within 10 to 14 days post surgery, and 4 months post surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  59 women, aged 21 to 78 undergoing lymph node dissection surgery and who had a significant other with them during the postoperative period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Subjects' significant others in the intervention group were first taught, then performed arm massage as a postoperative support measure. RESEARCH MAIN VARIABLES: Variables included postoperative pain, family strengths and stressors, range of motion, and health related costs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported a reduction in pain in the immediate postoperative period and better shoulder function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arm massage decreased pain and discomfort related to surgery, and promoted a sense of closeness and support amongst subjects and their significant other.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postoperative massage therapy for women with lymph node dissection provided therapeutic benefits for patients and their significant other. Nurses can offer effective alternative interventions along with standard procedures in promoting optimal health.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, Lawson Health Research Institute (London Health Sciences Centre), London, Ontario, Canada. cforchuk@uwo.ca
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Forchuk
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baruth
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prendergast
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Holliday
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bareham
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brimner
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Yee Ching Lilian
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yammine
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000517:prevention & control; D008405:Massage / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*