STUDY OF EFFECTIVENESS OF MASSAGE THERAPY AS A THERAPEUTIC ADJUVANT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PRESSURE ULCER

Abstract

Pressure ulcer (PU) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in spine injuries. We now know that pressure is the single most important etiological factor. The compression of soft tissues results in ischemia and if not relieved, will progress to cause necrosis and ulceration; the basic cause is pressure followed by ischemia and necrosis. PU can develop in Traumatic Brain injured, paraplegic and nonparaplegic patients. Patients with spinal cord injury have reported prevalence of 25 – 40%. Management of pressure ulcer is multicentric. This study was conducted on paraplegic patients admitted in the ward with PU to determine the effectiveness of massage therapy in the management of PU as a therapeutic adjuvant to standard treatment protocol. 36 cases of paraplegic inpatients with stage II and III PU were selected, properly randomized and divided into two groups, A & B. The dimensions of ulcer were recorded. Both groups received standard conventional treatment. Group A received, in addition, massage therapy around the ulcer area using commercially available vibrator for ve minutes continuously, two times daily. Group B patients served as controls. Ulcer diameter and area were measured every week and documented. The group which received massage showed better ulcer heali RESULTS: ng. CONCLUSION. Massage therapy is a cost effective method for management of pressure ulcer and can be easily delivered to the patient by a reliable care giver once it is taught to them.