Local massage with safflower oil for phlebitis following peripheral intravenous catheters / 国际中医中药杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo evaluate the curative effect of local massage with safflower oil in patients with phlebitis following peripheral intravenous catheters.MethodsA total of 71 patients with phlebitis following peripheral intravenous catheters wererandomly divided into 2 groups, a safflower oil group with 36 cases, and a magnesium sulfate group with 35 cases. The magnesium sulfate group was treated by local external application of 33% magnesium sulfate on phlebitis at the puncture site, while the safflower oil group was treated by external application of safflower oil 3~5 cm around the peripheral vein puncture site and massage. Both groups were treated for 48 h. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain degree, marking method to label the localred swelling area.ResultsThe VAS score (0.81±0.13vs.0.94±0.11;t=4.543,P<0.01) at 48 h after the treatment, and the local red swelling area at 24 h (3.62±1.22 cm2vs.4.42±1.72 cm2;t=2.335, P=0.022) and 48 h (1.07±0.25 cm2vs.3.26±1.07cm2;t=11.952,P<0.01) after the treatment in the safflower oil group were significant lower or smaller than the magnesium sulfate group.ConclusionsLocal massage with safflower oil can effectively alleviate the severity of phlebitis, relieve symptoms, reduce the score of VAS and local red swelling area, and promote the damaged tissue to restore normal.