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Massage therapy for children with cancer
Janice Post-White1, Maura Fitzgerald, Kay Savik
1University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 707 Kenwood Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA. postw001@umn.edu
Summary
Massage therapy is feasible for children with cancer, effectively reducing younger children's anxiety and parental anxiety. This pilot study highlights massage's benefits for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
- Pediatric Care
Background:
- Pediatric cancer patients often experience significant symptom burden, including pain, nausea, fatigue, and anxiety.
- Parental anxiety and stress are common comorbidities in families of children undergoing cancer treatment.
- Non-pharmacological interventions are sought to complement standard care and improve quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of implementing massage therapy for children with cancer.
- To evaluate the efficacy of massage in reducing symptoms in pediatric cancer patients.
- To determine the impact of massage on parental anxiety and fatigue.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study with a 2-period crossover design involving 23 children (ages 1-18) with cancer and their parents.
- Four weekly sessions of massage therapy alternated with four weekly sessions of quiet-time control.
- Measurements included physiological indicators of relaxation (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, salivary cortisol) and self-reported symptoms (pain, nausea, anxiety, fatigue) in children and parents.
Main Results:
- Massage significantly reduced heart rate in children and anxiety in children under 14 years old, compared to quiet time.
- Parental anxiety was significantly reduced following massage therapy.
- No significant differences were observed in blood pressure, cortisol levels, pain, nausea, or fatigue between massage and quiet-time interventions.
Conclusions:
- Massage therapy is a feasible and potentially beneficial intervention for children with cancer.
- Massage can effectively decrease anxiety in younger children with cancer and their parents.
- Further research is warranted to explore the broader therapeutic effects of massage in pediatric oncology.
