Alternative therapies in critical care areas: The limitations and benefits

Over the past decade there has been increasing interest in the use of complementary therapies in health care settings (Hill, 1995). Although holistic techniques designed to reduce stress and anxiety, such as massage and aromatherapy, are viewed within the realm of nursing, such techniques are infrequently used and inadequately evaluated in critical care settings (Hobbs and Davies, 1998). This article aims to review the available literature on the effects of massage in critical care areas