trial of 104 cardiovascular surgery patients showed
reductions in pain and tension for those patients receiving massage
therapy. Because of the unique challenges faced by cardiovascular
surgery patients (ie, prolonged operative time, considerable
musculoskeletal shifting, and positioning requirements), we
hypothesized that massage therapy might be particularly beneficial
in this patient group. We undertook a pilot study to evaluate the
role of massage therapy in cardiac surgical patients postoperatively.
Specific outcomes evaluated included feasibility (ie, whether
massage therapy could be successfully delivered in a busy cardiovascular
surgery practice), pain, anxiety, and tension.