197441 Effects of therapeutic massage on the quality of life among breast cancer patients during treatment

Monday, November 9, 2009: 1:30 PM

Ruth Wetta-Hall, RN, PhD, MPH, MSN , Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS
Michele Sturgeon, MPH, BS, NCTMB , Integrative Therapies Inc., Wichita, KS
Traci Hart, PhD, MA , Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS
Marge Good, RN, BSN, MPH , Wichita Community Clinical Oncology Program, Via Christi, Wichita, KS
Shaker Dakhil, MD, FACP , Cancer Center of Kansas, Wichita, KS
     
Therapeutic massage has demonstrated positive physical and emotional benefits to offset the effects of treatments associated with breast cancer. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of therapeutic massage on the quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Using a pre/post intervention assessment design, this convenience sample pilot study, measured anxiety, pain, nausea, sleep quality, and quality of life. Treatment consisted of one, 30-minute treatment per week for three consecutive weeks. Instruments selected for this study were used in previous massage therapy studies to measure QOL and health status and have documented validity and reliability.

Participants experienced a reduction in several quality of life symptom concerns after only three weeks of massage therapy. Respondents' cumulative pre and post massage mean for state anxiety, sleep quality, and quality of life/functioning showed significant improvement. Among study participants, there was variability in reported episodes of nausea, vomiting and retching; although participants reported decreased pain and distress, changes were non-significant.

Therapeutic massage shows potential benefits for ameliorating the effects of breast cancer treatment by reducing side effects of chemotherapy and radiation and improving perceived quality of life and overall functioning.

Learning Objectives:
Describe three positive physical and emotional benefits of therapeutic massage. Define the researchers’ measures for “quality of life.” Identify the relationship between quality of life and therapeutic massage.

Keywords: Quality of Life, Breast Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Ruth Wetta-Hall, Assistant Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, is a registered nurse holding master degrees in nursing administration and public health, and a Ph.D. in Community Psychology. She teaches public health administration, performance improvement and program evaluation in the KUSM-W, MPH program. As the Director of Research and Evaluation Associates in Community and Clinical Health (REACH) Center , Ruth and her research team support the design and implementation of studies that serve clinical and community-based organizations. Ruth has 15 years of clinical experience in emergency and intensive care nursing, and more than five years of experience in quality improvement and Outcomes Research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Cancer and Chronic Diseases in ACHP
See more of: Alternative and Complementary Health Practices