Efficacy and safety of massage for postoperative stress in colorectal cancer patients: a randomized, controlled, three-arm trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rhythmic embrocation (RE), a massage technique, on postoperative stress levels (measured by heart rate variability) in colorectal cancer surgery patients compared to empathic conversation.

Methods: The study included 68 patients who were randomized into three groups: one received RE from professionals, another from students, and the third received empathic conversations. Stress was quantified using heart rate variability before and after the interventions.