Meta-analysis of massage for cancer highlights benefits

January 17, 2017   |   Evidence in Integrative Healthcare

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effects of massage therapy in the cancer population in Pain Medicine highlighted the benefits for this group. Overall massage therapy was found to be relatively safe as well as promising for reducing pain intensity, fatigue, and anxiety in this population. It was recommended that cancer patients consider massage to help manage their pain. It also identified some areas where future research may help elevate massage to a standard treatment for cancer patients experiencing pain at a policy level. This included better specifying the massage protocols (type of massage, dosage, location, practitioner qualifications, etc.), selecting appropriate outcomes, and controls.