Abstract
During the spring and autumn of 2002 a quality assurance project, the aim of which was to create an atmosphere of peace and serenity, was carried out on the Thoracic Surgery Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital in Uppsala. The aim of this evaluation was to investigate whether or not touch massage can influence the patient's well being and so bring about a sense of peace and serenity. We also wanted to investigate the effect that giving massage had on those staff members who acted as masseurs/masseuses. The results show that touch massage ought to be included as a part of intensive care. The comments received show that all of the patients experienced that touch massage had an influence on their state of well being by creating a sense of peace and calmness. Their experience of pain also decreased. Many of those who took part felt happier and more alert. The nursing staff experienced that they were able to focus on the patient as a person in his/her own right and that they themselves were able to «destress» in their meeting with the patient. However, many emphasised that touch massage should not be forced on patients, but rather that it should be given when the time is right.