Massage therapy for cancer palliation and supportive care: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials

Ernst E.

INTRODUCTION: Massage is a popular adjunct to cancer palliation. This systematic review is aimed at critically evaluating all available randomised clinical trials of massage in cancer palliation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six databases were searched to identify all trials of classical massage for cancer patients. Studies of other types of massage, e.g. reflexology, aromatherapy, were excluded. Fourteen trials met all inclusion criteria.

DISCUSSION: Collectively, they suggest that massage can alleviate a wide range of symptoms: pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, anger, stress and fatigue. However, the methodological quality of the included studies was poor, a fact that prevents definitive conclusions.

CONCLUSION: The evidence is, therefore, encouraging but not compelling. The subject seems to warrant further investigations which avoid the limitations of previous studies.

Supportive Care in Cancer, Volume 17, Number 4 / April, 2009 – abstract

Filed under: Palliative care, Review, Therapies , Cancer palliation, Effectiveness, Massage, Systematic review

Developing a model for complementary therapy for patients with cancer

Hews, S

An initiative offers complementary therapies to patients with cancer using a model of integrated care

This article outlines an initiative to offer complementary therapy to patients with cancer, describing how the service was set up and funded, and the model of care. It also highlights some findings from research evidence.

Nursing Times;105: 8, 14–15.- full text

Filed under: CAM, integrated care

Shoulder dysfunction in breast cancer patients

Physical therapist Nicole Stout Gergich discusses shoulder dysfunction in breast cancer patients. Bruce Jancin of Elsevier Global Medical News (EGMN) interviews Ms. Gergich at the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Filed under: Breast cancer, Shoulder, Therapies