Effects of Hand Massage on Depression, Self-esteem and Vitality of the Elderly Patients in Convalescent Hospital

Kim, Hye Jeong; Lee, Kang Yi

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of hand massage on depression, self-esteem and vitality in elderly patients in convalescent hospitals.
METHODS
This study employed a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were 24 elderly patients in the experimental group and 25 in a control group in a convalescent hospital located in G city. Data were collected using a questionnaire that relied on the geriatric depression scale (short form) by Sheikh and Yesavage; the self-esteem scale by Rosenberg; and the vitality scale used by Johnson and revised by Oh. The experimental group were treated with a general hand massage using only carrier oil on both hands for 10 minutes a day for seven days. The control group was given no treatment. The collected data were analyzed using t-test, Ï‡2-test, and Fisher's exact test with SPSS Win Version 18.0.
RESULTS
The results are as follows: The experimental group showed a significant improvement in depression, self-esteem and vitality than the control group.
CONCLUSION
The results showed that hand massage was an effective intervention program for depression, self-esteem and vitality of elderly patients in convalescent hospitals.