The Effect of Hand Massage on Pain Management After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Narrative Review

Postoperative pain following breast cancer surgery remains a significant clinical challenge and may negatively affect recovery and quality of life if inadequately managed. In recent years, nonpharmacological nursing interventions have gained increasing attention as adjuncts to pharmacological pain control. This narrative review aimed to summarize the available evidence regarding the short‐term effects of hand massage on postoperative pain among women undergoing breast cancer surgery. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to identify studies published between July 2024 and June 2025. Clinical and experimental studies evaluating the effect of hand massage on postoperative pain intensity, anxiety, or analgesic use were considered eligible. Due to the limited availability of recent evidence, one earlier highly relevant controlled study was also included to contextualize the current findings. In total, three studies (one randomized controlled trial and two quasi‐experimental studies) met the inclusion criteria. Across the included studies, hand massage was associated with short‐term reductions in pain intensity and anxiety during the early postoperative period. However, considerable heterogeneity was observed in massage protocols, study designs, and outcome measures. Small sample sizes and methodological limitations further restrict the strength and generalizability of the evidence. In conclusion, hand massage may be considered an exploratory supportive adjunctive nursing intervention for postoperative pain management after breast cancer surgery. However, the current evidence base remains limited, heterogeneous, and methodologically constrained, requiring cautious interpretation before any clinical recommendations can be made.