Efficacy and safety of massage for postoperative stress in colorectal cancer patients: a randomized, controlled, three-arm trial.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rhythmic embrocation (RE), a massage technique, on postoperative stress levels (measured by heart rate variability) in colorectal cancer surgery patients compared to empathic conversation.

Methods

The study included 68 patients who were randomized into three groups: one received RE from professionals, another from students, and the third received empathic conversations. Stress was quantified using heart rate variability before and after the interventions.

Results

The standard deviation of the heartbeat intervals (SDNN) increased more in the professional RE group 9.12 ms (IQR 3.59-12.3 ms) than in the other groups: student RE group 5.68 ms (-0.66-7.5 ms), empathic conversation group 6.64 ms (-1.49-7.38

SUBMITTER: Werthmann PG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11840018 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature