Learning Objective #1: Explain the effects of preoperative massage therapy on surgical patient outcomes

Learning Objective #2: Identify biomarkers in measuring the effects of massage therapy on surgical patients

---

Study Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of preoperative massage therapy on intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Design: The study was a two group experimental design. Setting: Data were collected at University Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center, and Tucson Medical Center. Patients: 105 subjects having laparoscopic gynecologic surgery performed. The procedure included a standardized surgical entry, procedure, length of time and recovery. Intervention: Data were collected from two groups: Subjects in one group received a 30-minute massage (Massage group) and subjects in the other group received 30 minutes of passive touch (Control group). Measurements: Serum cortisol levels were drawn and anxiety was measured using a 6-item State Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI-6) preoperatively and postoperatively. Anesthesia records were reviewed to determine the administered doses of intraoperative narcotics and inhaled anesthetics. The subjects' perceived pain and nausea were measured postoperatively using a visual analog scale. The amount of pain medication received was measured. Main Results: One hundred five subjects participated in the study, 51 in the Control group and 54 in the Massage group. The subjects ranged in age from 20 to 84 years (Mean 45.5). All of the subjects were female. There was no difference between the Control and the Massage group in preoperative anxiety; patients in the Massage group had significantly less postoperative anxiety (M 9.83±2.87 vs. C 11.24±3.6) . Patients in the Massage group received signifcantlyless intraoperative narcotics (2.2±1.1 versus 2.8 ±2.0 mcg of fentanyl/Kg/hr). Conclusions: The findings suggest that preoperative massage decreased intraoperative analgesia requirements and postoperative anxiety levels in this cohort of patients.