Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology

Psychological distress, particularly depression and anxiety, is highly prevalent among elderly cancer patients. Such psychological distress has been shown to significantly affect quality of life, treatment adherence, and overall prognosis. Although pharmacological treatments are available, they may increase the risk of adverse effects and drug interactions in older adults. Therefore, safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions tailored to geriatric oncology populations are urgently needed. Traditional Chinese massage (Tui Na), which has historically been used to harmonize the body and mind, may alleviate cancer-related psychosomatic disorders by modulating autonomic nervous system activity and mitigating affective disturbances. This study presents a standardized therapeutic massage protocol applied in elderly cancer patients with clinically diagnosed anxiety and/or depression. The primary outcomes were changes in depression and anxiety, and quality of life was assessed as a secondary outcome. Adverse events were monitored to evaluate safety. This study demonstrates the application of therapeutic massage as a complementary, non-pharmacological intervention for psychological distress in elderly cancer patients. The findings support the integration of massage therapy into comprehensive geriatric oncology care and suggest a safe and feasible approach to improving mental well-being in this vulnerable population.