Comparing the effect of whole body massage by a specialist nurse and patients’ relatives on blood cortisol level in coronary patients

摘要

BACKGROUNDCardiovascular diseases such as acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction are often accompanied by severe anxiety over the likelihood of death. Cortisol has been known as a stress hormone. However, there are controversies about the effect of massage therapy on blood cortisol level. Furthermore, no study is available on the difference between massage applied by a nurse specialist or by patients’ relatives on blood cortisol level. This study was aimed to compare the effect of massage applied by a nurse specialist and patients’ relatives on blood cortisol level among the patients admitted in coronary care unit (CCU).