Massage Therapy for Patients with Metastatic Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The study results showed that it is feasible to provide therapeutic massage at home for patients with advanced cancer, and to randomize patients to a no-touch intervention. Providing therapeutic massage improves the quality of life at the end of life for patients and may be associated with further beneficial effects, such as improvement in pain and sleep quality. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to substantiate these findings.

Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy on Cancer Pain

“…8,9,[11][12][13][14][17][18][19] In addition, in the 3 low-quality studies with PEDro scores <6, we also observed a significant effect of massage in reducing cancer pain (SMD −1.28 [95% CI −1.71 to −0.86]; P < .00001; see Supplemental Figure 4B). …”

“…Body massage was significantly effective in 7 studies (SMD −1.11 [95% CI −1.50 to −0.71]; P < .00001; Supplemental Figure 3A). 8,9,[13][14][15]17,19 In particular, foot reflexology was significantly effective in 4 studies (SMD −1.46 [95% CI −2.45 to −0.47]; P = .004; Supplemental Figure 3B). 10,11,16,18 Aroma massage had significant effects in 2 studies (SMD −1.26 [95% CI −1.83 to -0.69]; P < .0001; Supplemental Figure 3C).…”

“…The quality scores ranged from 4 to 9, and the average score was 6.25 in the PEDro scale. Nine studies were high-quality studies (score of ≥6), 8,9,[11][12][13][14][17][18][19] and 3 studies were low-quality studies (score of <6). 10,15,16 The results of the Cochrane risk of bias analysis varied widely.…”

“…8,9,11,13,14,[16][17][18][19] Five studies were based on measurement at week 1, and they showed a significant effect of massage in reducing cancer pain (SMD −1.46 [95% CI −2.30 to −0.62]; P < .0001; see Supplemental Figure 7B). 8,9,11,13,15 In 3 studies measured at 2 weeks, however, one study was not estimable, and the other 2 studies showed significant effect of massage in reducing cancer pain (SMD −1.46 [95% CI −2.00 to −0.92]; P < .00001; see Supplemental Figure 7C). 10,12,13 In 2 studies measured at 4 weeks and showed significant effect of massage in reducing cancer pain (SMD −0.70 [95% CI −0.99 to −0.41]; P < .00001; see Supplemental Figure 7D).…”

“…However, other randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported significant effects of massage therapy. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]19 In addition, a large observational study suggested that massage therapy can reduce cancer pain by 40.2%. 33 In the current study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs to compare the effects of massage on pain relief.…”