Krohn, M., Listing, M., Tjahjono, G., Reisshauer, A., Peters, E., Klapp, B.F., & Rauchfuss, M. (2011). Depression, mood, stress, and Th1/Th2 immune balance in primary breast cancer patients undergoing classical massage therapy. Supportive Care in Cancer: Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 19(9), 1303–1311.
To investigate the short- and long-term effects of classical massage therapy on cytokine responses and the Th1/Th2 ratio, depression, mood, and perceived stress in patients with primary breast cancer; to evaluate the relevance of classical massage therapy in the context of oncologic care
Authors randomized 34 women into two groups. The massage group received a 30-minute classical massage twice per week for five weeks. The control group received standard medical care only. Time points in the study were before intervention, at the end of the five-week intervention period, and at six weeks after the intervention. At these time points, participants completed several measurement instruments, and investigators took blood samples to determine cytokine concentrations and the Th1/Th2 ratio.
Unspecified
Randomized controlled trial
Massage therapy is an efficient treatment for reducing depression in breast cancer patients. Insignificant results concerning immunologic parameters, stress, and mood indicate that further research is needed to determine psychological and immunologic changes associated with massage therapy.
Massage therapy may be an effective intervention to offer to patients who struggle with depression. Additional studies should evaluate the effectivenss of this intervention as well as its effect on immunologic parameters, stress, and mood.