Massage Therapy Utilization in Pediatric Acute Burns: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Patient-centered burn care extends beyond physical treatment to incorporate the management of the psychological impacts including stress, pain, and anxiety. This study explores the novel application of massage therapy (MT) in children with acute burns, assessing utilization and impact on pain and relaxation.

A retrospective review of 198 children with thermal injury admitted to an American Burn Association-verified pediatric burn center between January 2022 and July 2023 was conducted, excluding those requiring intensive care admission. Demographics, injury details, and MT variables were summarized using descriptive statistics. A logistic regression explored the impact of age, length of stay (LOS), and total body surface area on MT provision.

All patients received MT consultation, with 13.6% of patients (n = 27) undergoing 43 MT sessions, with a median duration of 25.0 min. Common burn mechanisms in the MT group were scalds (55.6%), flame (22.2%), and contact (14.8%) burns. Of patients reporting pain pre-massage, 75.0% experienced pain relief, and 95.3% were content, relaxed or resting comfortably post-intervention. Barriers to MT included patients being asleep (42.1%), off the unit (33.7%), or attended to by other health-care providers (21.1%). Patients receiving MT had a longer median LOS compared to those who did not (p < 0.001).

MT is potentially valuable for children admitted with acute burns, reducing pain and promoting relaxation. However, patients admitted on weekends and with short admissions frequently missed MT treatment. Addressing barriers through additional weekend resources, provider education, and increased awareness of patient readiness for sessions may improve access to MT.