Effect of hand massage after abdominal surgery on pain, emotional symptoms and physiological parameters among children.

AIM

This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effect of hand massage on pain, emotional symptoms, and physiological parameters in children after abdominal surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 40 children aged 7-12 years who underwent abdominal surgery (20 intervention, 20 control). Data were collected using the Faces Pain Scale-Revised, Children's Emotion Manifestation Scale, Physiological Measurements Chart, and Child Information Form. The intervention group received a 10-min hand massage 3 h after surgery, and measurements were taken before the massage, immediately after the massage, and 30 min after the massage. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U, Friedman, and Bonferroni tests.

RESULTS

Immediately after the massage, the pain and emotional manifestation scores were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups at the third measurement (p = 0.478). Heart rate significantly decreased in the intervention group immediately after the massage (p < 0.001), while it significantly increased in the control group (p < 0.001).