Chair massage for patients and carers: a pilot service in an outpatient setting of a cancer care hospital

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2008 May;14(2):136-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2007.11.003. Epub 2007 Dec 31.

Abstract

Purpose: To gather patient and carer evaluations of a 20 min chair massage treatment provided one afternoon a week in an outpatient waiting area.

Method: Information gathered over a year included documented evaluation of chair massage, pre- and post-treatment well-being scores (visual analogue scale).

Results: Both patients (n=224) and carers (n=185) positively evaluated the treatment. Key benefits reported included: relaxation, comfort, time out/treat, distraction, and relief of anxiety. There were significant changes in self-reported well-being score (p=<0.001), but no significant changes between scores for males and females. The changes in well-being scores on occasions (n=3) did not match the positive feedback.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that the service was appreciated by patients and carers. The project was continued for a further year with internal funding. Further research is warranted to ascertain the added and longer-term value of this intervention.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Cancer Care Facilities
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Massage*
  • Mental Health*
  • Neoplasms / psychology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Pilot Projects
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy