A randomized trial of massage therapy after heart surgery

OBJECTIVES: 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 =. I I 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. CONCLUSION: Massage therapy is feasible in cardiac Surgical patients; however, it does not yield therapeutic ben e fit. Nevertheless, it should be a patient-selected and-paid option. (Heart Lung (R) 2009;38:480-490.)