Nursing Faculty Publications

Massage Therapy for Stress Management: Implications for Nursing Practice

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2010

Journal Title

Orthopaedic Nursing

ISSN

1542-538X

Volume

29

Issue

4

First Page

254

Last Page

257

DOI

10.1097/NOR.0b013e3181e517c6

PubMed ID

20664464

Abstract

Unresolved stress has been shown to have numerous adverse effects on the body. A review of the literature has revealed 2 major themes: (1) research that argues that massage has a direct relationship with positive health outcomes and (2) research that stresses that although there are little or no measurable physiological changes that occur from massage, patients' perceptions of stress and anxiety were significantly reduced. The simple act of touch-focused care, even a simple 5-min hand or foot massage, can be useful in lowering a patient's perceived level of stress. Further research is necessary on the benefits and risks of implementing massage therapy in the hospital setting.

Keywords

Cost-Benefit Analysis, Education, Nursing, Continuing, Humans, Massage, Stress, Psychological

Share

COinS