Effects of Head and Neck Massage on Anxiety, Pain, and Discomfort in Hysterectomy Patients

Kim, Eun Young; Choi, Euy Soon

doi:2010.16.1.60

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 16(1); 2010 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2010;16(1):60-68.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2010.16.1.60

Effects of Head and Neck Massage on Anxiety, Pain, and Discomfort in Hysterectomy Patients

¹Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Korea.
²College of Nursing, Catholic University of Korea, Korea. eschoi@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study determined the effect of head and neck massage on anxiety, pain, and discomfort for hysterectomy patients.
METHODS
Subjects consisted of 48 hysterectomy patients at K hospital. Experimental group (n=23) received head and neck massage at 8 minutes per massage for five times: (at admission, before sleeping on preoperative day, at 4 hours after operation, before sleeping on operation day, before sleeping on the first postoperative day). Control group (n=25) received conventional treatment. As an effectiveness of this intervention, state of anxiety and BP was measured before sleeping on preoperative day. Pain and discomfort were measured before sleeping on the day of surgery and then on the first postoperative day. Data was analyzed descriptive statistics using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, paired t-test, unpaired t-test, repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni multiple comparison.
RESULTS
1. State of anxiety score and BP at post-treatment decreased significantly in the experimental group. 2. Pain score in experimental group was lower than that in control group, with no significant difference; whereas, 3. Discomfort level decreased significantly in the experimental group.
CONCLUSION
Results indicate that head and neck massage could be an effective intervention for reducing preoperative anxiety and postoperative discomfort in hysterectomy patients.

Key Words: Massage; Hysterectomy; Anxiety; Pain; Discomfort