The Effect of Hand Massage on Pain, Anxiety, and Comfort Levels of Intensive Care Patients

Hand massage was applied for a total of 12 sessions in two weeks. Care was taken to perform the hand massage application outside the treatment and care hours, and it was performed in a quiet environment. The application was started from the same hand in the same patient in each session, and the same clinic nurse massaged all patients. Since the patients were in the intensive care unit, their vital signs were monitored 24. It was carefully monitored whether there was any change in vital signs during the massage. The patient's hand to be applied was placed on the pillow or bed. Clothes covering the upper extremity starting from the elbow area were removed. The patient was placed in a supine or semi-fowler position. The nurse practitioner took a standing position. She started the massage with effleurage, first on the back of the hand, then on the palm, from the fingertips towards the heart direction, placing the thumbs on the area to be treated and applying effleurage 5 times in a half-mo