Effects of classical massage and benson relaxation exercise on symptom status and quality of life in patients with heart failure

The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to compare the effects of classical massage (CM) and Benson relaxation exercise (BRE) on symptom status and quality of life in patients with heart failure (HF). This study was performed in cardiology, coronary intensive care, and internal medicine clinics of Hacettepe University, Ankara University Ibn-i Sina Hospital, Ankara University Cebeci Heart Center, and Health Sciences University Gulhane Training and Research Hospital between October 1, 2019 and June 20, 2020. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 72 patients who randomly allocated to receive CM (n=24), or BRE (n=26), and a control group (n=22). The stratified randomization was used in this study. Patients were stratified according to New York Heart Association classification of HF (Stage III-IV). CM was applied on both hands and feet of patients in the CM group twice a day during seven days for 30 minutes each, and BRE was applied in the relaxation group twice a day during seven days for 20 minutes each, both groups received a total of 14 sessions. The control group continued to receive standard nursing care and no additional intervention was applied during the study. Symptom status was measured with "Symptom Status Scale-Heart Failure (SSS-HF)" and quality of life with "Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) ". The total scale scores of the CM and BRE groups decreased significantly in the 1st week compared to the control group (p<0.05), and no significant difference was found between the three groups at the baseline and in the 3rd week (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was revealed between the three groups at the baseline, in the 1st week and the 3rd week comparing the total scale scores of MLHFQ (p>0.05). Based on the study results, CM and BRE were effective in the management of HF symptoms and therefore, the use of these interventions may be expanded in clinical settings.