The Effectiveness of Slow-Stroke Back Massage on Hospitalization Anxiety and Physiological Parameters in School-Age Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Background: The outcomes of hospitalization anxiety are mental health disorders. One of the methods of anxiety reduction is massage, which can cause reduction of pain and changes in physiological parameters. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of slow-stroke back massage (SSBM) on hospitalization anxiety and physiological parameters in school-age children. Methods: This clinical trial study included 80 school-aged children from Ali Ebne Abi Taleb hospital, located in Zahedan, who were selected using sequential sampling and randomly divided into two groups: a massage group (40) and a control group (40). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the state-trait anxiety inventory for children (STAIC). Subjects in the massage group received SSBM, using sesame oil, for 3 days. Massage was given three times a day, and each massage session lasted for 15 - 20 minutes. Physiological parameters and hospitalization anxiety were determined from the second to fifth days. T-test and Chi-square were used for analysis data. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the mean of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressures (DBP), and pulse rate (PR) in the massage group prior to intervention (97.05 +/- 20.7, 60.35 +/- 16.69 and 95.45 +/- 13.02 respectively) and on the fifth day (88.32 +/- 16.58, 55.95 +/- 12.7 and 90.45 +/- 15.1 respectively). However, no difference was observed in mean respiratory rate (RR) in the massage group from the second day (17.55 +/- 3.6) to fifth day (17.62 +/- 3.27) (P = 0.096). The mean of state of anxiety, which was 36.4 +/- 5.1 before intervention, was reduced by the fifth day to 31.2 +/- 5.1 in the massage group (P < 0.0001, t = 5.2). Conclusions: The results suggest that massage reduced hospitalization anxiety, PR, and BP. Therefore, we propose that nurses can use massage to reduce anxiety in school-age children in hospital. This method has no side-effects and is easily applicable.