The effect of back massage applied by spouses on sleep quality, menopausal complaints and marital adjustment in climacteric women

Abstract

IntroductionMenopause brings many physical and psychosocial problems. These problems negatively affect women, their spouses, and marital relations. Therefore, complementary and integrative methods could be an alternative approach to manage menopause-related problems. ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the effect of back massages applied by spouses on sleep quality, menopausal complaints and the marital adjustment of women in the climacteric period. MethodsThe study was designed as a randomized controlled trial with a pretest and a posttest. A total of 63 couples was randomized to the intervention group (n= 33) or control group (n= 30). Back massages were taught to the spouses of the women in the intervention group. The massage was applied 15 minutes before bedtime, twice a week for four weeks. Data were collected by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Menopause Symptoms Rating Scale (MSRS) and the Marital Adjustment Scale (MAS). Data were analyzed before (the first follow-up) and after the intervention (the final follow-up). ResultsThis study revealed that menopausal complaints were significantly reduced in women and sleep quality was improved in the intervention group (p<0.001). In addition, the marital adjustment of the couples significantly increased in the intervention group (p<0.001). ConclusionsThe findings showed that back massages applied by the spouse helped to reduce menopausal complaints in women, and improved sleep quality and increased the marital adjustment of the couples. These results are promising for using back massage as an easy, safe and cost-effective method to manage menopause-related problems.