NCT07100015

The Effect of Shoulder Massage and Therapeutic Touch on Pain and Anxiety After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The Effect of Shoulder Massage and Therapeutic Touch on Pain and Anxiety After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Three-Arm Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 74 (actual)
• Sponsor: Giresun University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of shoulder massage and therapeutic touch on pain and anxiety after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Both interventions significantly reduced pain and anxiety levels compared to the control group. Shoulder massage was more effective in reducing pain, while therapeutic touch was more effective in reducing anxiety. These methods are recommended for broader use in clinical practice.

Detailed description

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a frequently preferred surgical method for treating gallstones. Non-pharmacologic approaches have an important place in addition to pharmacologic treatment methods. Methods such as massage and therapeutic touch are included in the literature as effective alternatives to reduce pain and anxiety. Aim: This study aimed to compare the effects of shoulder massage and therapeutic touch on shoulder pain and anxiety after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: The study was a three-arm randomized controlled trial. After baseline assessment, participants were randomly assigned to three groups; random assignment was done using the Microsoft Excel 2016 program. Participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n=24), in which shoulder massage was applied, Group 2 (n=25), in which therapeutic touch was used, and Group 3 (n=25) in which patients did not receive any treatment and received routine postoperative care in the clinic.

Conditions

• Massage Therapy
• Pain
• Anxiety
• Theropathic Touch

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Control Group	in which patients did not receive any treatment and received routine postoperative care in the clinic
DEVICE	therapeutic touch	Therapeutic touch applications
DEVICE	Shoulder massage	shoulder massage was applied

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-04-17
• Primary completion: 2024-05-01
• Completion: 2024-06-01
• First posted: 2025-08-01
• Last updated: 2025-08-01

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)