Effect of Massage Therapy in Cancer Patients in Palliative Situation

Abstract

The increase in longevity and incidence of chronic diseases reveals an increased importance in terms of public health. The oncologic illness is a debilitating and progressive pathology with need for prevention and symptomatic relief. In order to find the answer to the question: "What is the effect of massage therapy in cancer patients?" we have reviewed the empirical literature indexed in databases online, finding only 21 articles published between 1990 and 2015. It was possible to verify some of the effects of massage therapy, particularly in relieving pain, decreased anxiety, depression and nausea and increased well-being. However, it was not found the effect of this intervention on the relief of suffering and the quality of life of patients. With the heterogeneity of methodologies, studies suggest the development of more homogeneous research, materials and methods to assess the effects of massage therapy in cancer patients.