HHS HealthBeat (October 20, 2008)

Massaging away cancer pain

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Advanced cancer often means pain and depressed mood. And while care givers can provide drugs to these patients, a study indicates a literally hands-on approach also can bring some relief for both.

Jean Kutner of the University of Colorado School of Medicine tested massage therapy on 380 patients with advanced cancer, who were in 15 hospices.

``Massage therapy, when we compared it to just a simple touch, gave people some relief of pain and some improvement of mood – at least, immediately after the massage therapy session.’’ (10 seconds)

Researchers say the benefits of massage did not last over time for these advanced cancer patients. But massage also did not have the side effects that can come with drugs.

The study in Annals of Internal Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: October, 17 2008