Reflexology versus Swedish Massage to Reduce Physiologic Stress and Pain and Improve Mood in Nursing Home Residents with Cancer: A Pilot Trial

Nancy A Hodgson, Doreen Lafferty, Nancy A Hodgson, Doreen Lafferty

Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate and compare the effects of reflexology and Swedish massage therapy on physiologic stress, pain, and mood in older cancer survivors residing in nursing homes. Methods. An experimental, repeated-measures, crossover design study of 18 nursing home residents aged 75 or over and diagnosed with solid tumor in the past 5 years and following completion of cancer treatments. The intervention tested was 20 minutes of Swedish Massage Therapy to the lower extremities, versus 20 minute Reflexology, using highly specified protocols. Pre- and post-intervention levels of salivary cortisol, observed affect, and pain were compared in the Swedish Massage Therapy and Reflexology conditions. Results. Both Reflexology and Swedish Massage resulted in significant declines in salivary cortisol and pain and improvements in mood. Conclusions. Preliminary data suggest that studies of Swedish Massage Therapy and Reflexology are feasible in this population of cancer survivors typically excluded from trials. Both interventions were well tolerated and produced measurable improvements in outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying the potential benefits of these CAM modalities in this patient population.

References

    1. Rao A, Cohen HJ. Symptom management in the elderly cancer patient: fatigue, pain, and depression. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs. 2004;32:150–157.
    1. Wilkinson S, Gambles M, Fellowes D. The Cochrane Library. 2. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons; 2003. Reflexology for symptom relief in patients with cancer.
    1. Cassileth BR, Vickers AJ. Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2004;28(3):244–249.
    1. Ernst E. Massage therapy for cancer palliation and supportive care: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2009;17(4):333–337.
    1. Myers CD, Walton T, Bratsman L, Wilson J, Small B. Massage modalities and symptoms reported by cancer patients: narrative review. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2008;6(1):19–28.
    1. Wilkie DJ, Kampbell J, Cutshall S, et al. Effects of massage on pain intensity, analgesics and quality of life in patients with cancer pain: a pilot study of a randomized clinical trial conducted within hospice care delivery. The Hospice Journal. 2000;15(3):31–53.
    1. Ferrell-Torry AT, Glick OJ. The use of therapeutic massage as a nursing intervention to modify anxiety and the perception of cancer pain. Cancer Nursing. 1993;16(2):93–101.
    1. Smith M, Kutner JS, Hemphill L, Yamashita T, Felton S. Developing treatment and control conditions in a clinical trial of massage therapy for advanced cancer. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2007;5(4):139–146.
    1. Macdonald G. Massage for the Hospital Patient and Medically Frail Client. Baltimore, Md, USA: Williams & Wilkins; 2005.
    1. Benjamin RWenerandD. A Massage Therapist Guide to Pathology. Baltimore, Md, USA: Williams & Wilkins; 1998.
    1. Corbin L. Safety and efficacy of massage therapy for patients with cancer. Cancer Control. 2005;12(3):158–164.
    1. Czaja SJ, Schulz R, Bell SH, et al. Data and safety monitoring in social behavioral intervention trials: the REACH II experience. Clinical Trials. 2006;3(2):107–118.
    1. Lawton MP, van Haitsma K, Perkinson K, Ruckdeschel K. Observed affect and quality of life in dementia: further affirmations and problems. Journal of Mental Health and Aging. 1999;5(1):69–81.
    1. Lawton MP, van Haitsma K, Klapper JA. Observed affect in nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease. Journals of Gerontology. 1996;51(1):P3–P14.
    1. Herr K, Bjoro K, Decker S. Tools for assessment of pain in nonverbal older adults with dementia: a state-of-the-science review. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2006;31(2):170–192.
    1. Zwakhalen SMG, Hamers JPH, Abu-Saad HH, Berger MPF. Pain in elderly people with severe dementia: a systematic review of behavioural pain assessment tools. BMC Geriatrics. 2006;6, article 3
    1. Kirschbaum C, Heilmammer DH. Salivary cortisol. Encyclopedia of Stress. 2000;3:379–384.
    1. Cohen J. Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. 2nd edition. Mahwah, NJ, USA: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1988.
    1. Kraemer HC, Mintz J, Noda A, Tinklenberg J, Yesavage JA. Caution regarding the use of pilot studies to guide power calculations for study proposals. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2006;63(5):484–489.
    1. Jane SW, Wilkie DJ, Gallucci BB, Beaton RD. Systematic review of massage intervention for adult patients with cancer: a methodological perspective. Cancer Nursing. 2008;31(6):E24–E35.
    1. Deng GE, Frenkel M, Cohen L, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology: complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2009;7(3):85–120.
    1. Kutner JS, Smith MC, Corbin S, et al. Massage therapy versus simple touch to improve pain and mood in patients with advanced cancer: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;149(6):369–379.

Source: PubMed

Sponsors et collaborateurs

Les conditions médicales

Interventions en matière de drogue

3
S'abonner