Aim: This study aims to examine the effects of a single oncology massage (OM) session on participants’ self-reported symptoms and wellbeing.
Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit eligible participants which included any patient who attended an oncology massage session as an outpatient in a comprehensive cancer centre. Sixteen participants were recruited in total. Participants completed pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys, including demographic questions and validated tools in the form of the ESAS-r and MyCAW which were used to collect data relating to participants’ self-reported symptoms and well-being. Quantitative data were analysed to understand if there was any meaningful change between pre- and post- intervention scores. Due to a small sample size, statistical tests were not performed. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Analysis of the pre- and post-intervention ESAS-r scores showed that a single oncology massage session can decrease pain, tiredness, drowsiness, and lack of appetite. Pain and tiredness displayed the greatest decrease in frequency, with a mean decrease in ESAS-r scores of 2.31 and 2.25 respectively. Depression and anxiety mean scores decreased by 1.62 and 1.75 respectively. Results of the MyCAW surveys showed wellbeing improved by a mean improvement of 1.56. Thematic analysis of qualitative data showed the following themes emerge relating to participants self-perceived benefits of OM: providing a safe space, communication, opening up, relaxation, healing, connection, physical relief and happiness.
Conclusion: OM may be associated with a decrease in pain, tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, lack of appetite, depression, and anxiety. Results also indicated that OM may be associated with an increase in wellbeing and may have a greater benefit for patients currently undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy compared to patients on other forms of treatment/no active treatment.