Patients who are undergoing surgery frequently struggle with anxiety. Anxiety that is improperly controlled can have an impact on the surgical and recovery processes by causing psychological and physiological reactions. Therefore, this study looked at how hand massage affected patients who were having local anaesthetic for ophthalmic surgery. The anxiety before surgery is excruciating.  Preoperative anxieties can be brought on by a number of different factors, including physical discomfort, loneliness, isolation, worries about the surgery's outcome and a lack of control, being in an unfamiliar environment, and feeling like one's life is in danger, changes in body function or appearance, increased dependency, and potential lifestyle changes. Unresolved stress can harm patients in a number of ways. These side effects include patient reluctance to have the procedure done,8 a poor recovery, higher postoperative pain, lowered immunity to infection, increased painkiller use following surgery, delayed wound healing, a negative impact on patients' moods, and a lengthened stay in the hospital.

Additionally, the body's physical and mental energy consumption during worry and discomfort can lead to weariness as well as a number of biochemical processes that stimulate the muscles, arouse the autonomic nervous system, and boost corticosteroid production. Other effects can include an increase in blood sugar, muscle tone, heart rate, blood pressure, and peripheral vasoconstriction. However, due to their bodies being calmer and experiencing less pain, individuals who are mentally and emotionally prepared will have more comfortable surgeries. As a result, they would require less medication and leave the hospital sooner. Eventually, postoperative discomfort and expenses will be decreased. A hand massage before an ophthalmic surgery utilising local anaesthetic may reduce patient anxiety, according to psychological and physiological indicators. As a result, it is advised that nurses adopt this risk-free strategy in their preoperative care. However, more research about the application of this technique in various therapeutic settings needs to be done.

Massage therapy appears to be the best among relaxation techniques, which are the greatest non-pharmacological ways to reduce anxiety. It is a combination of supportive touch and muscle tone that improves mood, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, increases psychological and emotional calm, and facilitates the circulation of blood and lymph. The patients can express their emotions more readily and sleep better after receiving a mild massage. Additionally, it might help the nurse's interaction with the patient.

the fact that many patients who met the inclusion criteria were not available, there was no dedicated space for massage therapy, there was little time for massaging because it was unclear how long it would take for the patient to enter the operating room and for the procedure to begin, and most of the patients who met the criteria were female. Additionally, there were not many studies available, and those that were published tended to concentrate on the benefits of massage for pain management, particularly in non-surgical circumstances. Additionally, different studies used different massage techniques and locations. In order to improve patient comfort and reduce anxiety during local anaesthetic, surgery can be a secure, affordable, straightforward, and acceptable option. As a result, the operation would lead to a better result. Since massaging can be learnt and the hand is an easily accessible area accepted by both the patient and the nurse, nurses can use this method in their care before surgery.

Anesthesiology and Clinical Science Research Journal publishes high-impact original work in all branches of anaesthesia, Critical Care Medicine, Translational and Clinical Sciences, Clinical Practice, and Technology, Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine, Pain Management.

Authors can submit their manuscripts as an email attachment to: aaacsr@alliedjournals.org

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Journal Co-ordinator
Anesthesiology and Clinical Science Research.