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The Effectiveness of Slow-Stroke Back Massage on Hospitalization Anxiety and Physiological Parameters in School-Age
Alia Jalalodini1, Manijeh Nourian2, Kiarash Saatchi3
1Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran; Community Nursing Research Center (CNRC), Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
Insights
Slow-stroke back massage (SSBM) significantly reduced hospitalization anxiety, blood pressure, and pulse rate in school-aged children. This easily applicable, side-effect-free intervention can be utilized by nurses to alleviate pediatric patient anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Clinical Psychology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Hospitalization anxiety is a significant concern, often leading to mental health disorders in children.
- Massage therapy is recognized for its potential to reduce pain and alter physiological parameters, offering a non-pharmacological approach to anxiety management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of slow-stroke back massage (SSBM) in mitigating hospitalization anxiety and modifying physiological indicators in school-aged children.
- To provide evidence for the integration of massage as a supportive care intervention in pediatric hospital settings.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical trial involving 80 school-aged children, divided into a massage group and a control group.
- The intervention group received 3 days of SSBM using sesame oil, with data collected on anxiety levels and physiological parameters (blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate).
- Statistical analysis included t-tests and Chi-square tests to compare pre- and post-intervention measures.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions were observed in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate in the massage group post-intervention.
- A statistically significant decrease in the state of anxiety was noted in the massage group compared to baseline.
- No significant change was found in the mean respiratory rate of the massage group.
Conclusions:
- SSBM effectively reduces hospitalization anxiety, pulse rate, and blood pressure in school-aged children.
- The study supports the use of massage by nurses as a safe and easily implementable method for managing anxiety in hospitalized children.
- This non-pharmacological approach offers a beneficial adjunct to standard care, promoting patient well-being.
Background:
The outcomes of hospitalization anxiety are mental health disorders. One of the methods of anxiety reduction is massage, which can cause reduction of pain and changes in physiological parameters.
Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the effects of slow-stroke back massage (SSBM) on hospitalization anxiety and physiological parameters in school-age children.
Methods:
This clinical trial study included 80 school-aged children from Ali Ebne Abi Taleb hospital, located in Zahedan, who were selected using sequential sampling and randomly divided into two groups: a massage group (40) and a control group (40). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the state-trait anxiety inventory for children (STAIC). Subjects in the massage group received SSBM, using sesame oil, for 3 days. Massage was given three times a day, and each massage session lasted for 15 - 20 minutes. Physiological parameters and hospitalization anxiety were determined from the second to fifth days. T-test and Chi-square were used for analysis data.
Results:
There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the mean of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressures (DBP), and pulse rate (PR) in the massage group prior to intervention (97.05 ± 20.7, 60.35 ± 16.69 and 95.45 ± 13.02 respectively) and on the fifth day (88.32 ± 16.58, 55.95 ± 12.7 and 90.45 ± 15.1 respectively). However, no difference was observed in mean respiratory rate (RR) in the massage group from the second day (17.55 ± 3.6) to fifth day (17.62 ± 3.27) (P = 0.096). The mean of state of anxiety, which was 36.4 ± 5.1 before intervention, was reduced by the fifth day to 31.2 ± 5.1 in the massage group (P < 0.0001, t = 5.2).
Conclusions:
The results suggest that massage reduced hospitalization anxiety, PR, and BP. Therefore, we propose that nurses can use massage to reduce anxiety in school-age children in hospital. This method has no side-effects and is easily applicable.
