Study: Simple Touch Techniques Reduce Symptoms in Cancer Patients
Pain, fatigue and nausea are just a few of the common symptoms experienced by cancer patients as they battle day in and day out against the disease. According to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 50 million Americans provide care for a chronically ill family member or friend during any given year, and for this rapidly growing population segment, despite feeling helpless, there is finally a way to help ease these side effects.
Much like with newborn babies, a new study indicates that family caregivers can reduce suffering in cancer patients using simple touch and massage techniques. The study, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, evaluated outcomes of a 78 minute DVD instructional program and illustrated manual in a sample of 97 patients and their caregivers. The multi-ethnic sample represented 21 types of cancer (nearly half with breast cancer) and all stages of disease. Caregivers included spouses, adult children, parents, siblings and friends. The project was conducted in Boston, MA, Portland, ME, and Portland, OR using English, Spanish and Chinese languages.
Results indicated significant reductions for all symptoms after both activities, indicating that companionship alone has a positive effect. However, while symptoms were reduced from 12-28% after reading, massage from the caregiver led to reductions of 29-44%. The greatest impact was on stress/anxiety (44% reduction), followed by pain (34%), fatigue (32%), depression (31%), and nausea (29%). Patients reporting an optional "other" symptom (e.g., headaches) saw reductions of 42% with massage. Caregivers in the massage group also showed gains in confidence and comfort with using touch and massage as forms of caregiving.
The moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of touch.