title: Does postoperative 'M' technique massage with or without mandarin oil reduce infants' distress after major craniofacial surgery?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article is a report of a randomized controlled trial of the effects of 'M' technique massage with or without mandarin oil compared to standard postoperative care on infants' levels of pain and distress, heart rate and mean arterial pressure after major craniofacial surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is a growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions such as aromatherapy massage in hospitalized children to relieve pain and distress but well performed studies are lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized controlled trial allocated 60 children aged 3-36 months after craniofacial surgery from January 2008 to August 2009 to one of three conditions; 'M' technique massage with carrier oil, 'M' technique massage with mandarin oil or standard postoperative care. Primary outcome measures were changes in COMFORT behaviour scores, Numeric Rating Scale pain and Numeric Rating Scale distress scores assessed from videotape by an observer blinded for the condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all three groups, the mean postintervention COMFORT behaviour scores were higher than the baseline scores, but differences were not statistically significant. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure showed a statistically significant change across the three assessment periods in all three groups. These changes were not related with the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results do not support a benefit of 'M' technique massage with or without mandarin oil in these young postoperative patients. Several reasons may account for this: massage given too soon after general anaesthesia, young patients' fear of strangers touching them, patients not used to massage.
authors: Intensive Care, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Marjan
authors: M
authors: de Jong
authors: Cees
authors: C
authors: Lucas
authors: Hansje
authors: H
authors: Bredero
authors: Leon
authors: L
authors: van Adrichem
authors: Dick
authors: D
authors: Tibboel
authors: Monique
authors: M
authors: van Dijk
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019341:Aromatherapy / Q000379:methods*; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002957:Citrus; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils