title: Feasibility and effectiveness of massage therapy for symptom relief in cardiac catheter laboratory staff: a pilot study.
abstract: A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility and efficacy of massage therapy for cardiac catheterization laboratory staff. Staff members (N = 50) were randomly assigned to 5 or 10 weekly 30-min massages, followed by outcomes assessment. A control group (n = 10) receiving no massage therapy underwent comparable assessment. Visual analog scales, the t test, and the repeated measures model evaluated fatigue, pain, relaxation, stress/anxiety, tension/discomfort, and scheduling ease at baseline, 5 weeks, and 10 weeks. The Aickin separation test was used to assess feasibility of further research. Overall, 90% (337/375) of massage appointments were used. No significant effects were observed, but the Aickin separation test supported further research on massage therapy for fatigue, pain, relaxation, and tension/discomfort. Conducting massage therapy in the workplace is logistically feasible. Larger, longitudinal trials are warranted to better evaluate its effects on staff.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic Gonda Vascular Center, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Shelly R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Engen
authors.forename: Brent A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Charanjit S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Rihal
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lennon
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Loehrer
authors.forename: Dietlind L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Wahner-Roedler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D005221:Fatigue / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012063:Relaxation; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology