The effect of back massage with mentholated ointment on pain and anxiety after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Background: This study summarizes the protocol of a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of back massage with a mentholated ointment on postoperative pain and anxiety in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Methods: This study is a prospective, interventional, three-arm randomized controlled non-pharmacological clinical trial. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. The study population will consist of 120 patients who have undergone CABG surgery in the cardiovascular surgery ward of a teaching and research hospital in Türkiye. Following surgery, patients in group 1 (n=40) will receive back massage with a mentholated ointment, group 2 (n=40) will receive back massage with paraffin oil, and group 3 (n=40) will receive routine clinical care. Conclusions: The primary outcomes are postoperative back pain intensity and state anxiety levels. Secondary outcomes include vital signs and analgesic use. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT07508371.