Effects of massage therapy on pain and anxiety arising from intrathecal therapy or bone marrow aspiration in children with cancer

Abstract

Cancer and its treatment are stressful and reduce the quality of life in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of massage therapy on pain and anxiety arising from intrathecal therapy or bone marrow aspiration in children with cancer. We conducted a controlled pretest/posttest quasi-experimental study at a paediatric oncology unit in Turkey. Twenty-five children were enrolled in this study. Their pain and anxiety were determined using a visual analogue scale. When the pretest and posttest pain and anxiety levels of the groups were compared, no statistically significant difference was found (P > 0.05). It was determined that pain and anxiety levels in the experimental group decreased significantly. This study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness in children of massage in reducing pain and anxiety arising from intrathecal therapy or bone marrow aspiration.

Effects of the application of therapeutic massage in children with cancer: a systematic review

“…More recent studies 32 corroborate the results of this review. There is preliminary evidence of efficacy in children's massage to reduce pain and anxiety derived from intrathecal therapy or aspiration of bone marrow.…”

Used of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Symptoms Management and Quality of Life

“…Cancer and its treatment are stressful, and they reduce the quality of life of cancer patients and their families [1]. Children with cancer experience serious diiculties due to the diagnosis, the hospitalization, the symptoms that accompany the long and exhausting treatment process.…”

“…Children with cancer experience physical symptoms, including pain, and mental symptoms, anxiety [1]. One of these symptoms is also sleeping problems.…”

“…The families of children with cancer often try CAM to reduce their children's experience of physical discomfort [1]. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which is not considered as a part of traditional medicine, can be deined as a various medical health care systems, practices, and products.…”

“…Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which is not considered as a part of traditional medicine, can be deined as a various medical health care systems, practices, and products. Nowadays, among the most known and applied CAM methods are acupuncture, aromatherapy, osteopathy, yoga, massage, and various herbal supplements [1,13,14]. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), there are three broad categories of CAM: natural products, spiritual care (mindbody), and treatments based on body manipulation [14].…”