A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Therapeutic Touch Massage on Reduction Level of Pain & Anxiety among Stroke Patients Admitted in Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the second leading cause of death. The Global Stroke Factsheet released in 2022 reveals that lifetime risk of developing a stroke has increased by 50% over the last 17 years and now 1 in 4 people is estimated to have a stroke in their lifetime. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the effect of therapeutic touch massage on reduction level of pain and anxiety among the stroke patients admitted in Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital, Silvassa. METHODS: A quantitative quasi experimental research design was adopted and samples were allotted in experimental group (n=25) and control group (n=25) by purposive sampling technique. Sociodemographic and clinical variables data was collected using the self-administered questionaries and pain, anxiety and spasticity assessed by abbey pain scale, Hamilton anxiety scale and modified Ashworth scale. Respectively, The therapeutic touch massage was performed under the supervision of the investigator for 30 minutes daily for 6 days. RESULT: The results indicate a significant reduction in pain level after therapeutic touch massage (pretest mean = 9.88, posttest mean = 6.80;t= 6.959,df=48,p<0.05) & reduction in anxiety level non-significant change after therapeutic touch massage ( pretest = 21.04 , posttest = 18.28 ; df = 48, p>0.05).Various Sociodemographic variables showed significant association with pretest pain level in experimental group & no significant association were found with pretest anxiety level in experimental group. A positive correlation was found between pretest pain & anxiety in experimental group & control group. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic touch massage is useful in relieves pain and anxiety, aids in relaxation, relieves the effects of pain and improves sleep. KEYWORDS: Therapeutic touch massage; pain; anxiety; stroke patients; complementary therapy.