Effects of the Hand Massage and Back Massage on Comfort and Anxiety in Older People: A Randomızed Controlled Trial

Abstract

With the advanced age, older people become less productive, experience decline in mental functions, delay to respond to new situations, weakening of the short-term memory and need others’ help to maintain activities of daily living, which cause them to experience loneliness and anxiety. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of back massage and hand massage applications on comfort and anxiety of older people living in nursing homes. The population of this single-blind randomized controlled experimental study with a pretest - posttest control group comprised seniors living in two different nursing homes in Izmir, a province in western Turkey. The study sample consisted of 45 older people between October 15, 2015 and May 1, 2016 and met the sample selection criteria. They were assigned to BM (n = 15), HM (n = 15) and Control (n = 15) groups. The study data were collected using the Personal Information Form (PIF), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ). BM and HM increased the comfort levels of the older adults living in nursing homes and reduced their anxiety levels, and the results were considered statistically significant (p< .05). BM and HM have a positive effect on comfort and anxiety in older adults living in nursing homes. It was concluded that BM and HM were non- pharmacological nursing interventions with no side effects which nurses can include in nursing care confidently and can apply independently.