Benefits of massage to treat burn patients
Thermal injury can cause severe physical and psychologic trauma. And, these patients commonly have severe itching and pain.
Researchers at Atatürk University, in Erzurum, Turkey, examined the effects of massage therapy on burned adolescents with pain, itching, and anxiety.
First, the details.
- 63 adolescents (average age: 14 years) were enrolled in the study shortly after admission to a hospital burn unit.
- Severity of pain, itching, and anxiety were recorded on the first and last days of the 5-week study.
And, the results.
- Massage significantly reduced pain, itching, and anxiety from the first to the last day of this study.
The bottom line?
The results support the benefits of massage reported in an small study by researchers at the Florida School of Massage, Gainesville. In 8 post-burn children there were significant increases in range of motion in massaged tissue but not in control (non-massaged) tissue. Mood was elevated throughout the study.
6/15/11 21:43 JR