Complementary therapies in clinical practice
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · Feb 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEpisiotomy pain relief: Use of Lavender oil essence in primiparous Iranian women.
Post-episiotomy discomfort and its consequences can affect maternal quality of life and mental health as well as the mother and baby relationship. Complementary medicine is increasingly used and Lavender oil is frequently prescribed due to its antiseptic and healing properties. ⋯ According to these findings, use of Lavender oil essence can be effective in reducing perineal discomfort following episiotomy. It is suggested that Lavender oil essence may be preferably to the use of Betadine for episiotomy wound care.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · Nov 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialHand pain is reduced by massage therapy.
Forty-six adults with hand pain were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or a standard treatment control group. Those assigned to the massage therapy group were massaged by a therapist on the affected hand once a week for a 4-week period and were also taught self-massage on the hand that was to be done by the individual participant once daily. ⋯ The massage therapy group versus the control group had less pain and greater grip strength after the first and last sessions, and their anxiety and depressed mood scores decreased more than the control group. Over the four-week period the massage group had a greater decrease in pain and a greater increase in grip strength as well as lower scores on anxiety, depressed mood and sleep disturbance scales.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · Aug 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialMassage therapy in post-operative rehabilitation of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy - a pilot study.
The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the use of massage therapy in children with cerebral palsy undergoing post-operative rehabilitation. ⋯ The lack of decrease in heart rate in the study group of massage therapy may imply an increased sensitivity to touch in the post-operative setting. Further research with larger study populations are needed to evaluate how and when massage therapy is useful for children with cerebral palsy.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · May 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and tension after cardiac surgery: a randomized study.
Integrative therapies such as massage have gained support as interventions that improve the overall patient experience during hospitalization. Cardiac surgery patients undergo long procedures and commonly have postoperative back and shoulder pain, anxiety, and tension. Given the promising effects of massage therapy for alleviation of pain, tension, and anxiety, we studied the efficacy and feasibility of massage therapy delivered in the postoperative cardiovascular surgery setting. ⋯ Patients receiving massage therapy had significantly decreased pain, anxiety, and tension. Patients were highly satisfied with the intervention, and no major barriers to implementing massage therapy were identified. Massage therapy may be an important component of the healing experience for patients after cardiovascular surgery.
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Complement Ther Clin Pract · May 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and tension in cardiac surgical patients: a pilot study.
To assess the role of massage therapy in the cardiac surgery postoperative period. Specific aims included determining the difference in pain, anxiety, tension, and satisfaction scores of patients before and after massage compared with patients who received standard care. ⋯ This pilot study showed that massage can be successfully incorporated into a busy cardiac surgical practice. These results suggest that massage may be an important therapy to consider for inclusion in the management of postoperative recovery of cardiovascular surgical patients.