Massage Therapy for Pain, Anxiety, and Depression in Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Maria Falkensteiner, Franco Mantovan, Irene Müller, Christa Them
Hypothesis
Can massage therapy reduce the level of pain, anxiety, and depression in patients receiving palliative oncological care?
Conclusion
Massage therapy can help reduce pain, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients receiving palliative care.
Supporting Evidence
- Massage therapy has been shown to reduce pain in four out of six studies.
- Patients with higher initial anxiety levels experienced greater reductions in anxiety after massage.
- Massage therapy has no reported negative effects in the studies reviewed.
Takeaway
Massage therapy can make cancer patients feel less pain, worry, and sadness.
Methodology
A systematic literature analysis was conducted, reviewing studies published between 2000 and 2010.
Potential Biases
The effectiveness of massage may depend on the relationship between the therapist and the patient.
Limitations
Some patients were unable to find a comfortable position for massage, and the duration of massages was sometimes shortened.
Participant Demographics
The studies included adult oncological patients aged 30 to 88, with a higher percentage of females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = 0.03
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website