Background: To critically evaluate the effects of massage therapy on cancer pain. According to Cochrane Collaboration, 2 reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data from the included studies.
All analyses were performed with Review Manager 5. Results: Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis, containing patients in the massage therapy group and in the control group.
Foot reflexology and hand acupressure had a moderate effect on cancer pain relief, with hand acupressure being more effective. The occurrence of adverse events was reported in 4 of the 13 studies, all of which were no adverse events. Conclusions: Massage therapy can be used as a complementary alternative therapy to relieve cancer pain in patients with hematological malignancies, breast cancer, and cancers of the digestive system.
It is suggested that chemotherapy patients use foot reflexology, and perioperative period patients use hand acupressure. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Abstract Background: To critically evaluate the effects of massage therapy on cancer pain.
Publication types Systematic Review Meta-Analysis.
