The effects of head and face massage on delirium among elderly women hospitalized in coronary care units

There are few studies in the area of managing delirium by using complementary therapies. The aim of this study was “to investigate the effects of face and head massage on delirium among elderly women hospitalized in coronary care units”. This was a clinical trial study. Eighty eight elderly women with delirium were randomly allocated to either the control or the experimental groups. Women in the experimental group received fifteen-minute face and head massage therapy. Study data were collected and analyzed by using the NEECHAM confusion scale and the SPSS18، respectively. Before the study intervention، the means of total delirium score in the experimental and the control groups were 8. 8 and 9. 5، respectively. There was no significant difference between the study groups regarding the pretest total delirium score. However، after the study intervention، the mean total delirium score in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (17. 6 vs. 16. 7; p=0. 03). Face and head massage therapy can reduce delirium severity; therefore، using it in adjacent to pharmacological interventions is recommended.