Effectiveness and safety of royal massage in the rehabilitation of patients with subacute ischemic stroke in the Public Health Service Unit, Yasothon Province

Abstract

Background: Royal Thai massage is used in conjunction with standard treatments in stroke patients showed increasing trend in recovering ability to perform daily activities and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness and safety of royal Thai massage in the rehabilitation of patients with subacute ischemic stroke.
Materials and Methods: The study was an experimental design. Subjects were patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke, aged 30-75 years, with no change in treatment within the last 48 hours. The duration after the attack was 14-30 days, the severity of the disease ≤ 15 points, according to the criteria for measuring the severity of the disease (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale). Of 140 participants, 70 patients were assigned into experimental group, another 70 patients were in control groups. Data were collected from January through December 2019. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Independent T test was used to compare mean treatment outcomes between the experimental group and the control group. Safety of massage was measured reported occurrence of adverse events.
Results: The patients in experimental group had ability to perform daily activities and quality of life statistically different from the control group (Xtest = 15.92, Xcontrol = 14.21, P-value = 0.001 and Xtest = 0.74, Xcontrol = 0.61 , P-value = 0.001 respectively). In the experimental group receiving royal Thai massage, no adverse events were reported.
Conclusion: Royal Thai massage combined with standard treatment Rehabilitation of patients with subacute ischemic stroke to have the ability to carry out daily activities and good quality of life. The right Thai massage does not cause adverse events.