Effectiveness of light pressure stroking massage on pain and fatigue of patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery-A randomized clinical trial

Pain and fatigue are common among patients following CABG (Coronary artery bypass graft) surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of massage therapy on pain and fatigue of patients after coronary artery bypass surgery.

In this clinical trial study، 72 patients (from 165 patients)، who were underwent coronary artery bypass surgery، were selected. This study performed from December 2010 to May 2011 in Isfahan Chamran hospital. Then، the patients were randomly assigned in two case and control groups. The patients of the case group (n= 36) received light pressure stroking massage for 20 minutes in 4 sessions in 4 consecutive days، 3 to 6 days after the surgery. The patients in control group received only the routine care. Variables pain and fatigue before and after the intervention was recorded by the use of the visual analogue scale.

Results showed that there was a significant differences in pain levels before and after the intervention between case and control groups (P<0. 001). Also، a significant differences in fatigue levels before and after the intervention between case and control groups (P<0. 001).

The use of Light Pressure Stroking massage therapy can decrease pain and fatigue of patients after coronary artery bypass surgery and due to low cost and simplicity of this method، it can perhaps be used as a complement to drug therapy and postoperative interventions used in these patients.