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.

This randomized controlled clinical trial examined the effects of massage on perceived pain intensity (PI), prescribed intramuscular/ly (im) morphine equivalent doses (IMMSEQ), hospital admissions, and quality of life (QoL). Of 173 hospice patients with terminal cancer, 29 (aged 30–85 yrs) completed the 3-wk pilot study. 14 Ss (controls) were assigned to usual hospice care and 15 Ss were assigned to usual hospice care with massage interventions consisting of 4, twice-weekly massages. Baseline and outcome measurements were obtained before the 1st and after the 4th massages. PI, pulse rate, and respiratory rate were significantly reduced immediately after the massages. At study entry, the massage group reported higher PI which decreased by 42% compared to a 25% reduction in the control group. IMMSEQ doses were stable or decreased for 8 Ss in each group and increased for 8 massage and 6 control group Ss. One massage group and two control group Ss were hospitalized. All initial QoL scores were higher in the massage group than in the control group, but only current QoL was statistically significant. Both groups reported improved global QoL. The control group reported slight improvement in current QoL and satisfaction with QoL whereas these 2 aspects of QoL declined in the massage group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)