Classical Massage and Relaxation Exercise on Symptom Status and Quality of Life in Advanced Stage Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract

This randomized controlled study aimed to investigate the effects of classical massage (CM) and Benson relaxation exercise (BRE) on symptom status and quality of life (QoL) in patients with heart failure (HF). Seventy-two patients with HF were recruited from 4 hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. The study sample was allocated to a CM (n = 24), BRE (n = 26), or control group (n = 22) based on the New York Heart Association classification of HF (stages III and IV) through stratified randomization. The intervention groups received either CM or BRE twice daily for 7 days (total of 14 sessions). The control group received only routine care. The scores of symptom status decreased in the CM and BRE groups at the end of the intervention (first week) as compared with the control group (P < .05). Nevertheless, at the end of the monitoring period, no significant differences were detected between the 3 study groups at baseline (P = .474), week 1 (P = .936), and week 3 (P = .668) in terms of QoL scores. The CM and BRE showed beneficial effects in the management of HF symptoms in advanced stage HF patients who were hospitalized and received intensive treatment.

The Effect of Foot Massage Applied to Patients With Congestive Heart Failure on Peripheral Edema and Sleep Quality

“…While evaluating the findings of the study, studies examining the effect of foot massage applied to different patient groups on peripheral edema were used. Similar to the results obtained from our study in the literature, Gülbahar and Gok Metin13 stated that 14 sessions of foot-hand massage applied to patients with heart failure had positive effects on heart failure symptoms such as edema, dyspnea, and pain. In one of the studies examining the physiological edema effect of foot massage in pregnant women, foot massage has been suggested to be an effective and easy method to reduce foot edema 18.…”

“…In a study conducted by Gülbahar and Gok Metin,13 hand-foot massage and body relaxation stretching movements were applied to patients with CHF stages III and IV twice a day for 7 days. In the evaluation of the first and seventh days of the study, it was found that the symptom states (dyspnea, fatigue, sleep) were found to be significantly alleviated 13…”

“…Since massage is an easy and cost-effective method that does not cause any side effects on health, it can be used in addition to treatment in several ailments. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Although there are many studies examining the effect of massage on chronic diseases, there are no studies examining the effect of foot massage on peripheral edema and sleep quality in patients with CHF. For this reason, it was thought that this study would make an important contribution to the literature.…”

“…Rahimikian et al19 reported important results in reducing edema in the feet of pregnant women who applied foot massage with baby oil. Since massage is an easy and cost-effective method that does not cause any side effects on health, it can be used in addition to treatment in several ailments 8–16. Although there are many studies examining the effect of massage on chronic diseases, there are no studies examining the effect of foot massage on peripheral edema and sleep quality in patients with CHF.…”

“…In a study in which hand and foot massage was applied together, it was found to be an effective method in improving CHF symptoms such as edema, insomnia, and fatigue. 13 In a systematic review examining the effects of massage on vital signs, sleep, and fatigue in CHF patients, it was suggested that massage could be used as an effective, safe, and good alternative practice. 14 Despite the beneficial effects of massage on CHF symptoms, no effect on hemodynamic markers was found in CHF patients who received foot reflexology.…”