Massage therapy and healing touch reduced pain, mood disturbance (anger, anxiety, depression, confusion) and fatigue in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, according to a recent study. “Therapeutic Massage and Healing Touch Improve Symptoms in Cancer” was conducted by staff at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and United Hospital Department of Integrative Health in St. Paul, […]
Women with breast cancer who received massage therapy showed a significant increase in both beneficial natural-killer cells and dopamine levels, and a significant decrease in long-term anxiety, as compared to women who received relaxation therapy, according to a recent study. “Breast Cancer Women Experience Increased Natural Killer Cells Following Massage Therapy” was conducted by staff […]
A recent analysis of 37 massage-therapy studies showed that this therapy has a significant overall effect on people, specifically in the reduction of state anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, trait anxiety, depression and pain.
The authors of the review, however, acknowledge difficulties with research on the effects of massage, including the fact that it’s impossible to “blind” study participants or care providers to whether a person is receiving massage or a comparison treatment.