The study involved 62 women receiving radiation therapy for newly diagnosed gynecological or breast cancer. The women were randomly assigned to receive either Healing Touch or mock treatment, along with standard care, and were blind to their actual group assignment.
Massage Versus Relaxation for Breast Cancer
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 at the Touch Research Institutes.
Massage Is Effective
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.
Massage may help lift depression
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.
Massage For Long Term Pain
Massage significantly improved self-rated health, mental energy and muscle pain in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, according to a recent study.