PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop on east-west nursing intervention program. This study was conducted to identify the effectiveness of using facial meridian points for massage nursing intervention on the recovery of facial paralysis for 46 patients (22 for experimental group). All had suffered from strokes, and were also admitted to the division of oriental medicine in K University Hospital.
METHOD
Data was collected from February 1st to December 31st of 2000. This study used a quasi experimental, non-equivalent control group pre-test and post-test design. The recovery of facial paralysis was measured by the difference between left and right facial length, observation and self report on a seven point scale, and facial discomfort by a facial scale after 6-7 facial massages in a two week period. Data was analyzed using the SPSS package program with x2 and t test.
RESULT
The result of this study are as follows; The experimental group who received the facial meridian massage showed higher scores in recovery of facial paralysis (t=2.72, p=.009), and a smaller difference between left and right facial strength than those in control group (t=2.26, p= .29). The discomfort of the facial area in the experimental and control group showed no significant differences.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicate that a facial meridian points massage could be an effective nursing intervention to the recovery of facial paralysis. This study contributes in developing an east-west nursing intervention with the oriental meridian theory and western massage therapy.