Massage for Symptom Management in Adult Inpatients With Hematologic Malignancies

Abstract

Background Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant often suffer from a predictable constellation of side effects related to therapy. Nonpharmacologic treatments for these side effects are attractive adjuncts to therapy due to a low side-effect profile. Objective To develop, implement, and evaluate a pilot program of massage therapy for symptom management in adult patients with hematologic malignancies admitted to the bone marrow transplant (BMT) service at a large academic medical center. Methods A single-arm feasibility study of massage therapy was conducted. Pre- and postintervention surveys were collected to assess the usefulness in management of 7 symptoms. Results Over an 11.5-month period, 109 patients received 142 massage treatments. one in five patients received more than one massage. We received surveys on 134 massage treatments. Patients reported significant reductions in anxiety, distress, fatigue, pain, and tension ( P < .01) and improved sleep as a result of massage therapy. Conclusion Based on this pilot, massage therapy is a feasible and safe intervention to administer during BMT hospitalizations. It proved useful in managing a constellation of 5 side effects including, anxiety, distress, fatigue, pain, and tension.

A Unitary Theory of Healing Through Touch

“…This research supports massage as a beneficial modality for symptom management and anxiety, as well as one of the most effective forms of touch 2. Benefits of massage therapy include decreasing the stress response, increasing activation of the cerebral cortex and attentiveness, relieving pain, reducing fatigue, decreasing depression, improving sleep quality, increasing feelings of well-being, and enhancing immune function 2–7…”

“…2 Benefits of massage therapy include decreasing the stress response, increasing activation of the cerebral cortex and attentiveness, relieving pain, reducing fatigue, decreasing depression, improving sleep quality, increasing feelings of wellbeing, and enhancing immune function. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Despite research addressing the benefits related to therapeutic massage, there are no 220 ADVANCES IN NURSING SCIENCE/APRIL-JUNE 2023…”

Impact of the practice of touch-massage® by a nurse on the anxiety of patients with hematological disorders hospitalized in a sterile environment, a randomized, controlled study

“…A small study showed a decrease in cortisol and prolactin (known to increase under stressful conditions) [ 26 ] but these results are debated [ 29 ]. A controlled feasibility study on 20 patients [ 30 ] and an uncontrolled pilot study [ 31 ] showed a decrease in various symptoms including anxiety. Two other studies have been carried out in adults [ 32 ] and in pediatrics [ 33 ] without significant results (but with small samples) despite qualitative interview data underlining the positive experience of this care [ 34 ].…”

Massage Therapy in the Time of COVID-19

“…An encounter with a massage therapist may be the only time a provider enters the room for the sole purpose of providing comfort and caring touch. In the absence of access to a physical support network, a bodywork session may be anxiety reducing, 1,17,[34][35][36] immune supporting, 13,[37][38][39][40] and effective symptom management of common conditions such as distress, 34 constipation, 41,42 and cancer treatment pain. 35,36,43 Also related to hospitals, medical staff members work as teams for patient-centered care.…”