Massage Reduces Cancer Symptoms and significantly improved cancer patients’ symptoms, such as pain, anxiety, nausea, fatigue and depression, according to a recent study.
“Massage Therapy for Symptom Control: Outcome Study at a Major Cancer Center” was conducted by staff of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City.
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, Minnesota.
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.
Daily physical activity and massage help increase bone mineralization in premature infants, according to recent research.
“Physical Activity Combined with Massage Improves Bone Mineralization in Premature Infants: A Randomized Trial” was conducted by staff at George Washington University Hospital and Children’s National Medical Center, in Washington, D.C.; and the Ain Shams University School of Medicine, in Cairo, Egypt.