Evaluating stress reduction therapy in cardiothoracic surgical patients.

Integrative therapies such as massage have gained support in the literature as methods to improve the overall patient experience. Massage therapy (MT) has been widely accepted as a therapy to help with pain and anxiety and, in fact, many healthcare institutions have integrated massage into their standard of care for patients. Although there are studies that indicate the specific benefits of massage therapy, there are a limited number of studies looking at the specific benefits for cardiac surgical patients. Cardiac surgical patients undergo long surgical procedures and in the immediate post-operative period, commonly complain of back and shoulder pain that may be related to the surgical procedure, bed positioning or general stress and tension. Given the promising, yet insufficiently researched, effects of massage therapy as a symptom relief strategy for alleviating pain and anxiety, we plan to conduct a study to provide evidence of the efficacy and feasibility of massage therapy delivered in a cardiovascular surgery setting. Our planned program of research focuses on the question: Can a massage therapy intervention be delivered within a busy clinical cardiovascular surgery setting in an efficacious manner to alleviate patient pain, anxiety and tension?