The Effect of Hand-Massage on the Relaxation of Dementia Patients

Oh, Jin Joo

Abstract

The agitation of dementia patient is a factor which aggravates the care-givers' burdon, and it is needed to develop intervention methods. Hall and Buckwalter hypothesized that an increase in agitation behavior occur when persons experience high levels of stress. This study was conducted to explore the efficacy of hand massage in producing relaxation and decreasing agitation behaviors in persons with dementia. Hand massage was administered once a day in afternoon for 8days to 24 patients and 4days to 23 patients. There was no difference in result between the two groups. Significant differences were found in systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, emotional state from pre to post -intervention with the use of hand massage. The change of systolic blood pressure was 26% explained by ADL, MMSE-K and institutionalized period. The most significant variable was institutionalized period. The change of diastolic blood pressure was 11% explained by ADL, and it was significant. But no decrease in agitation behavior was observed and no increase in functional capacity.