Shin, E.S., Seo, K.H., Lee, S.H., Jang, J.E., Jung, Y.M., Kim, M.J., & Yeon, J.Y. (2016). Massage with or without aromatherapy for symptom relief in people with cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6, CD009873.
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of massage and aromatherapy massage on symptoms in people with cancer
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
APPLICATIONS: Palliative care
Results of the meta-analysis showed no significant differences between massage and no massage for pain, depression, fatigue, or nausea. A meta-analysis of three studies showed significantly lower state anxiety with massage (MD = 18.6, p = 0.0003); however, all studies had very small samples and a high risk of bias. At longer follow-up, no differences were reported between groups in anxiety.
Insufficient evidence exists to show a benefit of massage therapy with or without aromatherapy for the relief of multiple symptoms in people with cancer.
Evidence regarding the effects of massage and aromatherapy massage on various patient symptoms did not show substantial clinical benefit, and evidence is insufficient. However, massage is generally a very low-risk intervention that may provide very short-term benefits for some patients. Additional well-designed research is needed to determine the role of this type of intervention as part of symptom management among patients with cancer at various times in the cancer trajectory.