Pain - AACN Clinical Questions.

Pain - AACN Clinical Questions.

Studies: Effects of massage in acute and intensive care.

Research:

In this systematic review of 22 studies on the effects of massage on relaxation, well-being and sleep, 8 out of 10 research studies showed that massage significantly reduced anxiety or the feeling of tension.

Results:

Seven out of 10 studies showed that massage resulted in physiological relaxation. Three studies found massage to be effective for pain relief. The results for promoting sleep were inconclusive.

Read full study
Richards KC, Gibson R, Overton-McCoy AL. “Effects of Massage in Acute and Critical Care.” AACN Clinical Issues. 11(1): 77-96, 2000.