Sammanfattning
Therapeutic massage is a rhythmic
and sensitive form of touch
that is assumed to have effects on
symptom relief psychological as
well as physiological. The purpose
of this study was to explore
personnels’ perception of the use
of therapeutic massage in palliative
care and what kind of effects
it might have on the patients.
Ten personnel, actively using therapeutic
massage in clinical
practice, were interviewed. A specific
record for the documentation
of therapeutic massage was developed.
In total 103 patients received
therapeutic massage at 197
different occasions. In average
each massage took 20 minutes.
Massage was given principally
on leg, foot or hand.
The result showed that therapeutic
massage was an excellent tool
for communicating and becoming
close to the patients. By using
therapeutic massage it was possible
to create relationships with
patients the nurses otherwise
might have difficulty to get close
contact with. The method was
often used as a complement to
pharmaceutical treatment of
symptoms especially worry, pain
and sleeplessness. Therapeutic
massage enriches the content of
nursing care. The primary obstacle
to the usage of therapeutic
massage was lack of time.