Massage therapy for patients with cancer

Patients with cancer often use massage therapy as an adjunct treatment. Oncology nurses can be advocates for patients seeking massage therapy by educating them to be informed consumers of massage therapy. They can stress that patients with cancer use massage therapists who have graduated from accredited programs, meet state licensure requirements, and have specialized training in the massage of patients with cancer. Oncology nurses often are the link between the physician ordering or approving this therapy and the LMT delivering the therapy. LMT's need information about a patient's cancer diagnosis, comorbidities, type of treatment, and reponse to treatment to safely provide massage therapy. Nurses play an important role in conveying this information and information LMT's about any special considerations, such as the presence of neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Safe and effective massage therapy to patients with cancer only is achieved when the patient, healthcare providers, and LMT collaborate effectively.     

Massage therapy: a comfort intervention for cardiac surgery patients

Integrative therapies have gained support in the literature as a method to control pain and anxiety. Many institutions have integrated massage therapy into their programs. Few studies have looked at the specific benefits of massage therapy for cardiac surgical patients. These patients undergo long surgical procedures and often complain of back, shoulder, and neck pain or general stress and tension. Clinical nurse specialist identify the benefits for patients and bring the evidence on massage therapy to the clinical setting. This article will provide an overview of the benefits of massage in the reduction of pain, anxiety, and tension in cardiac surgical patients. Reports of benefits seen with integration of massage in 1 cardiac surgical unit as part of evidence-based practice initiative for management of pain will be described. A clinical case example of a patient who has experienced cardiac surgery and received massage therapy will be shared.     

Massage therapy for the orthopaedic patient: a review

The effectiveness of massage therapy for the orthopaedic patient has not been documented; thus, a review of the published literature was warranted. A considerable proportion of the population experience orthopaedic problems, and many use massage therapy. A review and analysis of the literature between January 1973 and June 2003 yielded tentative results. It appears that massage therapy may be effective for orthopaedic patients with low back problems and potentially beneficial for patients with other orthopaedic problems. Massage therapy appears to be safe, to have high patient satisfaction, and to reduce pain and dysfunction.     

Massage therapy improves the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome

OBJECTIVES: Massage therapy has promise as an adjunct to standard alcohol detoxification procedures but has not been investigated comprehensively. DESIGN: The study was a randomized controlled trial comparing massage therapy to a "rest" (control) condition in patients undergoing alcohol detoxification. SETTINGS/LOCATION: Hospital-based alcohol and drug detoxification clinic. SUBJECTS: Fifty (50) patients with alcohol dependence (41 males, 9 females). INTERVENTIONS: The massage intervention involved a seated back, shoulder, head, and neck massage. OUTCOME MEASURES: Alcohol Withdrawal Scale, respiration, pulse rate, and subjective patient evaluation. RESULTS: Those receiving massage generally showed reductions in pulse rate on 3 of the 4 days of treatment compared to the control group. Massage was also more effective in reducing Alcohol Withdrawal Scale scores in the early stages of the detoxification process. Respiration in the massage group was reduced toward the end of the detoxification admission. CONCLUSIONS: Massage shows promise as an adjunct to traditional medical detoxification for alcohol.     

Effectiveness of massage therapy for chronic, non-malignant pain: a review

Previous reviews of massage therapy for chronic, non-malignant pain have focused on discrete pain conditions. This article aims to provide a broad overview of the literature on the effectiveness of massage for a variety of chronic, non-malignant pain complaints to identify gaps in the research and to inform future clinical trials. Computerized databases were searched for relevant studies including prior reviews and primary trials of massage therapy for chronic, non-malignant pain. Existing research provides fairly robust support for the analgesic effects of massage for non-specific low back pain, but only moderate support for such effects on shoulder pain and headache pain. There is only modest, preliminary support for massage in the treatment of fibromyalgia, mixed chronic pain conditions, neck pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Thus, research to date provides varying levels of evidence for the benefits of massage therapy for different chronic pain conditions. Future studies should employ rigorous study designs and include follow-up assessments for additional quantification of the longer-term effects of massage on chronic pain.     

脊椎矫正枪技术修复骨骼组织细胞产生拉应力及压应力的作用

背景：研究报道,美式脊椎矫正枪智能器械手替代传统推拿治疗非特异性下腰痛所致腰部运动功能障碍,具有较好的临床疗效。目的：比较脊椎矫正枪与传统推拿治疗非特异性腰痛所致腰部运动功能障碍的疗效和安全性,为脊椎矫正枪技术产生的拉应力和压应力作用应用于非特异性腰痛所致腰部运动功能障碍的康复提供依据。方法：选取78例非特异性腰痛患者,用随机数字法将其随机分为治疗组（采用脊椎矫正枪治疗,n=39）与对照组（采用传统推拿治疗,n=39）;两组治疗2周后均要求进行腰肌体操功能锻炼。所有患者治疗前、治疗4周后进行选用目测类比评分法和Oswestry功能障碍指数对非特异性腰痛患者疼痛和运动功能障碍进行客观评定;以及临床治愈率和安全性对比。结果与结论：两组患者治疗4周后目测类比评分和Oswestry功能障碍指数与治疗前比较均有改善（P〈0.01）,治疗4周后治疗组患者目测类比评分和Oswestry功能障碍指数与对照组比较改善显著（P〈0.01）。说明脊椎矫正枪治疗非特异性腰痛所致运动功能障碍疗效优于传统推拿。临床治愈率治疗组显著优于对照组（P〈0.01）,且治疗师工作强度降低和效率提高明显优于传统推拿。所有患者均未出现不良反应。结果表明,脊椎矫正枪治疗可在不同密度组织间产生能量梯度差及扭拉力,尤其是在骨与肌腱、骨与软组织之间及骨组织内部产生一系列物理效应,可以迅速解除非特异性腰痛所致腰痛和腰部运动功能障碍,能够提高治疗师工作效率和减少对治疗师手腕关节的损害;也证实了脊椎矫正枪智能器械手替代传统推拿疗效显著,具有可行性和安全性。     

Application of massage therapy in premature infant nursing care

Massage therapy has been used in the care of premature infants for many years in western countries, and a significant body of research has already shown the effectiveness of massage therapy in significantly increasing body weight, decreasing infant hospital durations, enhancing bone formation, and improving behavior. Key considerations when applying massage therapy on premature infants include gestational age, bodyweight, and physical condition. Nurses can teach parents to administer massage therapy on their premature infants to enhance parent-child attachment and interaction. This article introduces massage therapy principles and methods, the effectiveness of massage therapy in premature infant care, and an approach to teaching parents how to apply massage therapy on their premature infants. Massage therapy can be included in premature infant care programs in the future.     

Massage therapy as a complementary treatment for Parkinson’s disease: A Systematic Literature Review

ObjectiveThere is no definite cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD); therefore, the goals for symptomatic treatment are to improve quality of life and manage the motor and non-motor symptoms of the disease. Although massage is the one of the commonest used forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), there is no systematically-oriented review focusing specifically on the efficacy of the different massage techniques on PD.Aim of this review was to evaluate the quality of evidence referring to massage therapy for PD.DesignA systematic search was conductedin the MEDLINE database to identify the efficacy of massage on PD between 01/01/1970 and 06/12/2019.ResultsA total of 12 studies were analyzed in this systematic review. Massage therapy seems to induce relaxation in most cases, which is accompanied by biological measures involving urine stress hormones. Quality of life has been shown to be improved upon various therapeutic massage styles, involving classical whole-body therapeutic massage and reflexology. Non-motor symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, pain, fatigue, anxiety and depressive symptoms have been demonstrated to be improved upon different massage techniques, including classical deep therapeutic massage, Traditional Japanese (Anma) massage, Thai massage, neuromuscular therapy and Yin Tui Na massage. Regarding motor symptoms, classical therapeutic massage, Traditional Japanese (Anma) massage, Thai massage, and neuromuscular therapy seemed to improve motor symptoms, whereas Yin Tui Na technique combined with acupuncture was associated with worse motor scores.ConclusionsDespite the methodological concerns regarding the existing evidence, there is a wide range of safe massage techniques with beneficial effects on both motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. Longitudinal studies are needed to justify the introduction of massage therapy into clinical practice.     

A novel clinical-trial design for the study of massage therapy

OBJECTIVES: To develop and test the feasibility and acceptability of a structured design for a massage therapy clinical trial that included a treatment arm designed to control for the non-specific effects of a massage therapy intervention. DESIGN: Pilot randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: University-integrated medicine research clinic. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to a structured Swedish-style massage therapy intervention, a light-touch bodywork control intervention, or usual medical care. Details of the interventions are provided. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were the adherence of the participants to the study protocol and the perception of the intervention experience. RESULTS: Forty-four participants were randomized. Participants often found adherence to the twice-weekly outpatient bodywork interventions to be somewhat difficult; while, overall, 84% of participants completed the study, only 76% of those in an intervention arm successfully completed the trial. Participants randomized to the massage arm expressed uniformly positive attitudes both before and after the intervention. While some participants randomized to the light-touch bodywork arm initially expressed some reservations about their randomization assignment, all participants available for interview were pleased with their experience after the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed design was found to be relatively straightforward to implement and acceptable to participants. Early disappointment with not receiving massage therapy expressed by the light-touch intervention participants dissipated quickly. Twice-weekly outpatient intervention appointments were found to be highly burdensome for many patients actively undergoing chemotherapy, thus reducing adherence.     

Effect of massage therapy for postsurgical mastectomy recipients

This quality improvement pilot study evaluated the effect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and overall well-being in women who received mastectomies at a busy hospital practice. Participants reported a significant reduction in pain, stress, and muscle tension, as well as an increase in relaxation. Oncology nurses should consider the feasibility of massage therapy as a valuable nonpharmcologic pain management strategy.     

中西医结合的物理治疗和作业治疗

中国现代的康复治疗正朝着形成一个中西医结合新的康复治疗体系的方向前进,作者在分析了中国传统的和西方现代的物理治疗和作业治疗各自的优势和特点后,列举了中国传统运动疗法,物理因子疗法,针灸、推拿按摩等在康复治疗中应用的方式方法,作用和治疗用途,介绍了一些中西医结合物理治疗和作业治疗的方式和方法,最后,作者介绍了中国近20年来为促进在康复治疗上实行中西医结合所采取的措施和实行的政策。     

Massage therapy and reflexology awareness

Massage therapy and reflexology are manual therapeutic approaches used to facilitate healing and health and can be used by nurses in almost any setting. Information about massage therapy and reflexology is shared for the purpose of creating awareness about healing modalities and encouraging the use of basic techniques of these manual therapies. A review of a case study illustrates the safe and effective use of massage therapy and reflexology and familiarizes the nurse with the components of assessment and hands-on practice. Holistic nursing principles related to massage therapy and reflexology are woven throughout the text.     

耳穴磁疗联合鼻穴按摩综合护理防治变应性鼻炎疗效评价

目的：探讨耳穴磁疗联合鼻穴按摩综合护理对变应性鼻炎的防治效果。方法选取2014年6月至2015年2月本院耳鼻咽喉科、针灸科门诊收治的60例患者为研究对象,随机分为对照组(口服抗阻胺药或加用糖皮质激素类鼻喷剂)和治疗组(耳穴磁疗+鼻穴按摩+中医辨证施护)。发作期观察比较两组患者治疗前后鼻炎症状、体征及中医兼症改善情况,缓解期观察比较两组患者鼻炎复发的次数。结果两组患者治疗后鼻炎症状、体征及中医兼证情况均有所改善,治疗组总有效率略高于对照组( P<0.05);治疗后半年内鼻炎复发次数较对照组明显减少,差异具有统计学意义( P<0.01)。结论耳穴磁疗联合鼻穴按摩综合护理防治变应性鼻炎是有效的。     

Childrens' distress during burn treatment is reduced by massage therapy

Before dressing changes, 24 young children (mean age = 2.5 years) hospitalized for severe burns received standard dressing care or massage therapy in addition to standard dressing care. The massage therapy was conducted to body parts that were not burned. During the dressing change, the children who received massage therapy showed minimal distress behaviors and no increase in movement other than torso movement. In contrast, the children who did not receive massage therapy responded to the dressing change procedure with increased facial grimacing, torso movement, crying, leg movement and reaching out. Nurses also reported greater ease in completing the dressing change procedure for the children in the massage therapy group. These findings suggest that massage therapy attenuates young childrens' distress responses to aversive medical procedures and facilitates dressing changes.     

Role of massage therapy in cancer care

The care of patients with cancer not only involves dealing with its symptoms but also with complicated information and uncertainty; isolation; and fear of disease progression, disease recurrence, and death. Patients whose treatments require them to go without human contact can find a lack of touch to be an especially distressing factor. Massage therapy is often used to address these patients' need for human contact, and findings support the positive value of massage in cancer care. Several reviews of the scientific literature have attributed numerous positive effects to massage, including improvements in the quality of patients' relaxation, sleep, and immune system responses and in the relief of their fatigue, pain, anxiety, and nausea. On the basis of these reviews, some large cancer centers in the United States have started to integrate massage therapy into conventional settings. In this paper, we recognize the importance of touch, review findings regarding massage for cancer patients, describe the massage therapy program in one of these centers, and outline future challenges and implications for the effective integration of massage therapy in large and small cancer centers.     

Postburn itching, pain, and psychological symptoms are reduced with massage therapy

Twenty patients with burn injuries were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or a standard treatment control group during the remodeling phase of wound healing. The massage therapy group received a 30-minute massage with cocoa butter to a closed, moderate-sized scar tissue area twice a week for 5 weeks. The massage therapy group reported reduced itching, pain, and anxiety and improved mood immediately after the first and last therapy sessions, and their ratings on these measures improved from the first day to the last day of the study.     

Hospital based massage therapy specific competencies

As massage therapy experiences a resurgence of use for hospitalized patients, it is appropriate to consider the competencies needed by practitioners to practice safely and effectively in the inpatient setting. Hospitals differ vastly from other massage practice locations such as private offices, spas, and sports clubs. The variety of conditions encountered in an acute care setting require the knowledge and ability to adapt massage protocols appropriately. The Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health (ACIH) created the Hospital Based Massage Therapy (HBMT) Task Force to determine if there is a need for HBMT specific competencies and then, if needed, to develop peer reviewed competencies that hospital staff, massage therapy educators, and massage therapists all may find useful.The members of the task force identified massage therapists who worked in hospitals generally, as well as in hospitals known to have HBMT programs. A spreadsheet was created listing the individuals and a survey was distributed to those on the spreadsheet. These individuals were also asked to identify others who might be interested in participating in the project. The purpose of the survey was to assess various elements of HBMT programs such as educational/experience requirements, employment model, orientation, and supervision. 32 out of 37 hospitals (87%) completed the survey. The Task Force considered the high response rate and the extent to which respondents provided in-depth answers to the open-ended questions as evidence of the need for specific competencies for safe and effective massage therapy for hospitalized patients.In addition to the survey, the task force used a Delphi technique to engage survey participants and other experts in the field to shape the initial draft of the competencies. As these competencies are shared with hospitals, massage therapists, and massage educators, the Task Force members expect that additional development of the competencies will take place as various groups implement them.     

澳式手法治疗神经根型颈椎病

目的探讨澳式手法治疗颈椎病的疗效。方法运用澳式手法治疗30例神经根型颈椎病患者,并与传统推拿手法治疗30例对照组比较,两组均每周治疗5次,30min/次。结果试验组的显效率、治疗时间及远期疗效明显优于对照组。结论澳式手法治疗神经根型颈椎病具有独到之处,可做为临床康复手段加以推广。     

Physiological adjustments to stress measures following massage therapy: a review of the literature

Use of massage therapy by the general public has increased substantially in recent years. In light of the popularity of massage therapy for stress reduction, a comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed literature is important to summarize the effectiveness of this modality on stress-reactive physiological measures. On-line databases were searched for articles relevant to both massage therapy and stress. Articles were included in this review if (i) the massage therapy account consisted of manipulation of soft tissues and was conducted by a trained therapist, and (ii) a dependent measure to evaluate physiological stress was reported. Hormonal and physical parameters are reviewed. A total of 25 studies met all inclusion criteria. A majority of studies employed a 20-30 min massage administered twice-weekly over 5 weeks with evaluations conducted pre-post an individual session (single treatment) or following a series of sessions (multiple treatments). Single treatment reductions in salivary cortisol and heart rate were consistently noted. A sustained reduction for these measures was not supported in the literature, although the single-treatment effect was repeatable within a study. To date, the research data is insufficient to make definitive statements regarding the multiple treatment effect of massage therapy on urinary cortisol or catecholamines, but some evidence for a positive effect on diastolic blood pressure has been documented. While significant improvement has been demonstrated following massage therapy, the general research body on this topic lacks the necessary scientific rigor to provide a definitive understanding of the effect massage therapy has on many physiological variables associated with stress.     

Relationship between massage therapy usage and health outcomes in older adults

Physical and emotional decline in older adults is a serious issue affecting not only quality of life but also susceptibility to injury. Non-pharmacological interventions addressing the needs of older adults are important for reducing medication burden and possible drug interactions. This study (N=144) examines the potential of massage therapy as such an intervention for older adults by comparing self-reported health outcome scores among adults 60 and older who have and have not utilized massage therapy in the past year. When controlling for age and cumulative morbidities, older adults who reported massage therapy usage in the past year had significantly better health outcome scores in the following domains: 1) emotional well-being, 2) limitations due to physical issues, and 3) limitations due to emotional issues. Because previous massage therapy research has not included or focused on older adults, studies examining massage therapy and emotional health, specifically among this population, are warranted.