Effects of hand massage on anxiety in patients undergoing ophthalmology surgery using local anesthesia

Anxiety is a common disorder in patients before surgery. Inappropriately managed anxiety can cause psychological and physiological reactions and will affect the process of surgery and recovery. Therefore, this study examined the effects of hand massage on anxiety in patients undergoing ophthalmology surgery using local anesthesia. In this interventional study, 52 patients who were supposed to undergo ophthalmology surgery using local anesthesia were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups of intervention, who received hand massage before surgery (n = 27) and control (n = 25). Massaging lasted for 5 minutes (2.5 minutes on each hand) before surgery. Stroking and scrubbing methods were performed by 2 trained researchers. Anxiety level, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were measured before and after the intervention in both groups. Anxiety was evaluated using Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data was analyzed by chi-square, independent samples t-test, and paired t-test. There were no significant differences in mean anxiety, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate between the two groups before the intervention (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant differenc in the mean stress level between the two groups after the intervention (p < 0.05). The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of physiological variables (p > 0.05). Our findings suggested that 5 minutes of hand massage before ophthalmology surgery (under local anesthesia) could reduce anxiety. Therefore, this method can be used to increase patient comfort and reduce anxiety before surgical interventions.