Effect of Skin Rehabilitation Massage Therapy on Burned Patient' Outcomes

Abstract

As confirmed by over a decade of research, massage therapy's ability to support emotional and physical health offers great therapeutic benefits to burn survivors. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of skin rehabilitation massage therapy on burned patient; pruritis, pain and scar formation. The study was carried out in burn unit, Tanta Emergency Hospital affiliated to Tanta University. The sample consists of sixty partial or full thickness burn patients on arm, forearm, and hand, the study sample divided into two equal groups. Control group was treated according to the routine management of the hospital for burned patient and experimental group who is treated with skin rehabilitation massage therapy. Four tools were used for the purpose of the study. Tool one: Burned patient assessment questionnaire which consists of two parts: part one includes socio-demographic characteristics; part two includes burn assessment of the patient, Tool II Visual Analogue Pain Assessment Scale to assess the pain level of burned patient. Tool III: The 5-D Itch Assessment Scale to assess itching level of burned patient. Too lV: Manchester Scar Assessment Scale to assess the bun scar. Data were collected from end of September 2016 to the end of April 2017. The results revealed that level of pain, pruritis and scar formation has been improved significantly after application of skin massage rehabilitation therapy for the study group and there is a correlation between total burn scar level and level of pruritis of the control group in the first and third week of study period. Conclusion and recommendation explained that; skin rehabilitation massages therapy is an important component in burn recovery. In-service training programs should be conducted periodically for the nurses in burn unit to assess, improve and update their knowledge regarding skin rehabilitation massage therapy.

Key words: Skin rehabilitation massage therapy, patient' outcomes.