The Effect of Massage Therapy on Autonomic Activity in Critically Ill Children

Abstract EN

Objectives.

Our main objective was to describe the effect of foot and hand (F&H) massage on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in children hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU); the secondary objectives were to assess the relationship between ANS function and the clinical severity and to explore the effects of repeated massage sessions on the ANS.

Methods.

Design was a descriptive experimental study.

Intervention was single or six session(s) of F&H massage.

ANS function was assessed through the frequency-domain analysis of heart rate variability.

Main metrics included high and low frequency power (HF and LF), HF + LF, and LF/HF ratio.

Results.

Eighteen children participated in the study.

A strong Spearman’s correlation (ρ=-0.77) was observed between HF + LF and clinical severity.

During massage, the parasympathetic activity (measured by HF) increased significantly from baseline (P=0.04) with a mean percentage increase of 75% (95% CI: 20%∼130%).

LF increased by 56% (95% CI: 20%∼92%) (P=0.026).

Repeated sessions were associated with a persistent effect on HF and LF which peaked at the second session and remained stable thereafter.

Conclusions.

HF + LF is positively correlated with clinical severity.

F&H massage can improve the ANS activity and the effect persists when repeated sessions are offered.