A randomized trial of massage therapy after heart surgery.
OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Albert
Nancy M
NM
Nursing Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Gillinov
A Marc
AM
Lytle
Bruce W
BW
Feng
Jingyuan
J
Cwynar
Roberta
R
Blackstone
Eugene H
EH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015984:Causality; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000451:nursing*; D055815:Young Adult