Clinical and Biochemical Effects of Massage Therapy on Fatigue and Insomnia Among Women Undergoing Radiation Treatment of Breast Cancer

Many women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer experience debilitating fatigue and insomnia for which treatment options are limited.  This two-armed, controlled and partially blinded pilot study enrolled 29 females age > 18 years, with breast cancer and undergoing radiation therapy in a Midwest Community Cancer Center. The Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Fatigue Symptom Inventory were administered to measure clinical effects of massage and plasma levels of cytokine levels, IL-6 and CRP  to measure inflammatory response. We have three-time point measurements to study the difference from baseline to end of treatment and end of study. During each week of radiation therapy, the 17 women randomly selected for MTG (massage therapy group) had weekly study visit with 60 minute massage while STG (standard treatment group) had study visits only. A chi-square test (and Fisher’s exact in case of 2x2) is used to associate categorical characteristics distribution in MTG and STG. A t-test (either based on 2-sample, or ANOVA or MIXED model) is used to compare for normally distributed continuous measures.  Outcomes trended as projected with fatigue and insomnia levels lower in study group. None of the demographic, life style or disease burden variables were significantly different between MTG and STG at significance level of 5%. The baseline insomnia score was marginally significant (p=0.07) between MTG and STG (75% in STG and 41% in MTG). Tumor size was significantly associated (p=0.014). Findings support MT for symptom management during cancer treatment and need for multi-site study with larger more diverse population.