Massage Therapy and Cancer Patients

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Massage Therapy May Have Immediate Positive Effect On Pain And Mood

For Advanced Cancer Patients

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915174534.htm

 

ScienceDaily (Sep. 16, 2008) — A new study from the National

Institutes of Health finds that massage therapy may have immediate

benefits on pain and mood among patients with advanced cancer. The

study appears in the September 16, 2008 issue of Annals of Internal

Medicine.

 

In a randomized trial of 380 advanced cancer patients at 15 U.S.

hospices, improvement in pain and mood immediately following

treatment was greater with massage than with simple touch.

 

" When patients near the end of life, the goals of medical care change

from trying to cure disease to making the patient as comfortable as

possible, " said Jean S. Kutner, MD, MSPH, Associate Professor of

Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of

Colorado Denver School of Medicine. " This study is important because

it shows massage is a safe and effective way to provide immediate

relief to patients with advanced cancer. "

 

Pain and depressed mood are common problems for patients with

advanced cancer. While drug therapies can reduce symptoms, they

don't always work and often have troublesome side effects.

Researchers think that massage may interrupt the cycle of distress,

offering brief physical and psychological benefits. Physically,

massage may decrease inflammation and edema, increase blood and

lymphatic circulation, and relax muscle spasms.

 

Psychologically, massage may promote relaxation, release endorphins,

and create a positive experience that distracts temporarily from pain

and depression.

 

Researchers caution that while massage may offer some immediate

relief for patients with advanced cancer, the effects do not last

over time, demonstrating the need for more effective strategies to

manage pain at the end of life.

 

Adapted from materials provided by American College of Physicians,

via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

 

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American College of Physicians (2008, September 16). Massage Therapy

May Have Immediate Positive Effect On Pain And Mood For Advanced

Cancer Patients. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 25, 2008, from

http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/09/080915174534.htm