The investigators conclude that massage, with or without guided imagery, immediately reduces self-reported anxiety. However, this pilot study has certain limitations: a non-randomized, convenience sample and a matched control group that was created retrospectively.
All that notwithstanding, the study indicates a benefit to providing massage or massage with guided imagery prior to anxiety-inducing medical procedures such as cardiac catheterization.
Citation: Armstrong K1, Dixon S2, May S3, Patricolo GE4. Anxiety reduction in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization following massage and guided imagery. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2014 Aug 23. pii: S1744-3881(14)00049-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.07.009. [Epub ahead of print] This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..