MODERATE RECOMMENDATION One high quality (Pasyar 2018) and three moderate quality (Forward 2015, Eghbali 2010, Buyukyilmaz 2013) studies were reviewed. All studies showed improvements in pain. Only one study measured opioid use and did not report improvement, and no studies measured function.
Benefits/Harms of Implementation
No studies reported adverse events, but the level of risk associated with this intervention is low.
Cost Effectiveness/Resource Utilization
Potentially moderate to high resource utilization in delivering this level of care in the hospital setting.
Acceptability
Would require increased resource utilization and specialized staff which may have some concerns with acceptability
Feasibility
Intervention has been used extensively and is clearly feasible.
Future Research
Further research into the effect of this intervention on opioid use and function are needed, as well as cost effectiveness studies.
- Buyukyilmaz, F., Asti, T. The effect of relaxation techniques and back massage on pain and anxiety in Turkish total hip or knee arthroplasty patients. Pain Manag Nurs 2013; 3: 143-54
- Eghbali, M., Lellahgani, H., Alimohammadi, N., Daryabeigi, R., Ghasempour, Z. Study on effect of massage therapy on pain severity in orthopedic patients. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2010; 1: 32-6
- Forward, J. B., Greuter, N. E., Crisall, S. J., Lester, H. F. Effect of Structured Touch and Guided Imagery for Pain and Anxiety in Elective Joint Replacement Patients--A Randomized Controlled Trial: M-TIJRP. Perm J 2015; 4: 18-28
- Pasyar, N., Rambod, M., Kahkhaee, F. R. The Effect of Foot Massage on Pain Intensity and Anxiety in Patients Having Undergone a Tibial Shaft Fracture Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Orthop Trauma 2018; 12: e482-e486