Management of stress symptoms in nursing professionals through the use of alternative and complementary health practices: a randomized clinical trial

• Grant number: 17/19645-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Ruth Natalia Teresa Turrini
• Grantee: Ruth Natalia Teresa Turrini
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem (EE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Lucia Siqueira Costa Calache ; Juliana Nery de Souza Talarico ; Leonice Fumiko Sato Kurebayashi ; Pedro Augusto Carlos Magno Fernandes ; Regina Pekelmann Markus

Abstract

Occupational stress in nursing can reflect on the quality of the assistance impacting on the well-being of the patient, besides affecting the health of the worker. Massage, and phytotherapy have demonstrated great potential for combating stress symptoms, with their effectiveness being attributed to the modulation of serotonin and cortisol. The aim of the study is to verify if complementary practices such as quick massage, phytotherapy reduce the level of stress and related signs and symptoms such as pain, depression and anxiety, sleep deprivation. Method: Three randomized and controlled clinical trials will be conducted, with 220 nursing professionals belonging to the staff of two oncological hospitals located in the city of São Paulo. Participants will be allocated into two groups (intervention and control) for each type of intervention (massage or phytotherapy). For analysis of the "stress" outcome will be used cortisol concentration and melatonin dosage, Stress Scale at Work, List of Signs and Symptoms of Vasconcelos Stress; symptoms of pain and sleep deprivation will be evaluated respectively by the instruments Brief Inventory of Pain and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. As moderating variable, coping measured by the Occupational Coping Scale will be considered. The professionals undergoing massage and phytotherapy are expected to present reduced stress and improved symptoms compared to professionals who have not received therapeutic intervention. (AU)