Research Papers

There are a few papers that aren't on cancer per se but are relevant, such as an excellent trial on late stage HIV disease that I couldn't resist.

This list is comprehensive. I include most everything I find: research reviews, critiques, summaries, large and small trials, uncontrolled trials, case series and case reports. All are included, with variations in quality.

To retrieve the full text of an article contact the author or publisher, or obtain it from a medical or hospital library.

Ahles TA, Tope DM, Pinkson B, Walch S, Hann D, Whedon M, Dain B, Weiss JE, Mills L, Silverfarb PM. Massage therapy for patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Sep 1999;18(3):157-63.

Batavia M. Contraindications for therapeutic massage: do sources agree? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2004;8:48-57.

Billhult A, Dahlberg K. A meaningful relief from suffering-experiences of massage in cancer care. Cancer Nursing 2001;24(3):180-184.

Billhult, A, et al. Massage relieves nausea in women with breast cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Nov 2007;13( 1):53-57.

Bottorf JL. The use and meaning of touch in caring for patients with cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum 1993;20(10):1531-1538.

Bredin M. Mastectomy, body image and therapeutic massage: a qualitative study of women's experience. Journal of Advanced Nursing 1999;29(5):113-120.

Burke C et al. The development of a massage service for cancer patients. Clinical Oncology 6 1994:381-385.

Buss IC, Halfens RJG, Abu-Saad HH. The effectiveness of massage in preventing pressure sores: a literature review. Rehabilitation Nursing 1997;22(5):229-242.

Campeau M-P, et al. Impact of massage therapy on anxiety levels in patients undergoing radiation therapy: randomized controlled trail. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology Fall 2007;5(4):133-138.

Cassileth BR, Vickers AJ. Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Sep 2004;28(3):244-9.

Cawthorne L, Boyle DA. Massage as cancer nursing therapeutic: impact on symptom distress during hospitalization. (Abstract of podium psession, 2001 Oncology Nursing Society 26th Annual Congress, San Diego, CA). Oncology Nursing Forum 2001;28(2):324-325.

Cawley N. A critique of the methodology of research studies evaluating massage. European Journal of Cancer Care 1997;6:23-31.

Cerrone R, Giani L, Galbiati B, Messina G, Casiraghi M, Proserpio E, Meregalli M, Trabattoni P, Lissoni P, Gardani G. Efficacy of HT 7 point acupressure stimulation in the treatment of insomnia in cancer patients and in patients suffering from disorders other than cancer. Minerva Med. 2008 Dec;99(6):535-7.

Chang SY. Effects of aroma hand massage on pain, state anxiety and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2008 Aug;38(4):493-502. Click here for an abstract.

Collinge W, et al. Couples and cancer: feasibility of brief instruction in massage and touch therapy to build caregiver efficacy. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology Fall 2007;5(4):147-154.

Collins KB, Thomas DJ. Acupuncture and acupressure for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Feb 2004;16(2):76-80.

Corbin L. Safety and efficacy of massage therapy for patients with cancer. Cancer Control Jul 2005;12(3):158-164.

Corner J, Cawley N, Hildebranc S. An evaluation of the use of massage and essential oils on the well-being of cancer patients. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 1995;1(2):67-73.

Cronfalk BS, Strang P, Ternestedt BM, Friedrichsen M. The existential experiences of receiving soft tissue massage in palliative home care-an intervention. Support Care Cancer. 2009 Jan 28.

Courneya KS, Mackey JR, Bell GJ, Jones LW, Field CJ, Fairey AS. Randomized controlled trial of exercise training in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors: cardiopulmonary and quality of life outcomes. J. Clinical Oncology May 2003;21(9):1660-1668.

Crawford J. Myofascial release provides symptomatic relief from chest wall tenderness occasionally seen following lumpectomy and radiation in breast cancer patients. International Journal of Oncology, Biology and Physics 1996;34(5):1188-1189.

Cullen C et al. Pediatric oncology patients benefit from massage therapy. in T. Field, Touch Therapy Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone 2000.

Currin, J, Meister EA. A hospital-based intervention using massage to reduce distress among oncology patients. Cancer Nursing. 31(3):214-221, May/June 2008. Click here for an abstract.

Dibble SL et al. Acupressure for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomized clinical trial. Oncology Nursing Forum 2007;34(4):813-820.

Dibble SL, Chapman J, Mack KA, Shih AS. Acupressure for nausea: results of a pilot study. Oncology Nursing Forum Jan/Feb 2000;27(1):41-47.

Done L. Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point P6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting. The Cochrane Library 2004;4:1-33.

Dudley G, McGrath KN, Pheley AM. Length of stay and medication use in hysterectomy patients treated with a single massage treatment. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2003;7(4):222-227.

Dundee JW. Prolongation of the antiemetic action of P6 acupuncture by acupressure in patients having cancer chemotherapy. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine June 1990;vol 83.

Dundee JW, et al. Non-invasive stimulation of the P6 (neiguan) antiemetic acupuncture point in cancer chemotherapy. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine April 1991;vol 84.

Ernst E. Massage therapy for cancer palliation and supportive care: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Support Care Cancer. 2009 Jan 13.

Fellowes D, Barnes K, Wilkinson S. Aromatherapy and massage for symptom relief in patients with cancer (Cochrane Review). The Cochrane Library 2005:2.

Ferrell-Torry AT, Glick OJ. The use of therapeutic massage as a nursing intervention to modify anxiety and the perception of cancer pain (review). Cancer Nursing 1993;16(2):93-101.

Field T, Cullen C, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M, Sprinz P, Beebe K, Kissel B, Bango-Sanchez V. Leukemia immune changes following massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2001;5:271-274.

Gecsedi RA. Massage therapy for patients with cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing 2002;6(1):52-54.

Gerber LH, Vargo M. Rehabilitation for patients with cancer diagnoses. Rehabilitation Medicine: Principles and Practice (3e), DeLisa JA and Gans BM (eds). Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers 1998.

Gilbert E, Ussher JM, Perz J. Renegotiating sexuality and intimacy in the context of cancer: the experiences of carers. Arch Sex Behav. 2008 Dec 9.

Goodfellow LM. The effects of therapeutic back massage on psychophysiologic variables and immune function in spouses of patients with cancer. Nursing Research 2003;52(5):318-28.

Grealish L, Lomasney A, Whiteman B. Foot massage: a nursing intervention to modify the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea in patients hospitalized with cancer. Cancer Nursing 2000;23(3):237-243.

Groer M, et al. Measures of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A and state anxiety after nursing back rub. National Library of Medicine Feb 1994;7(1):2-6.

Hadfield N. The role of aromatherapy massage in reducing anxiety in patients with malignant brain tumours. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 2001;7(6):279-285.

Harris R, Piller N. Three case studies indicating the effectiveness of manual lymph drainage on patients with primary and secondary lymphedema using objective measuring tools. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies Oct 2003:213-221.

Hernandez-Reif M, Ironson G, Field T, Weiss S, Katz G, Fletcher MA, Burman I. Massage therapy for breast cancer. Unpublished manuscript 2000.

Hernandez-Reif M, Ironson G, Field T, Hurley J., Katz G, Diego M, Weiss S, Fletcher M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, Burman I. Breast cancer patients have improved immune functions following massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Research Jul 2004;57(1):45-52.

Hernandez-Reif M, Field T, Ironson G, Beutler J, Vera Y, Hurley J, Fletcher MA, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, Fraser M. Natural killer cells and lymphocytes increase in women with breast cancer following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience 2005;115(4):495-510.

Hodgson H. Does reflexology impact on cancer patients' quality of life? Nursing Standard 14(31):33-38.

Howard L. Hands of medicine: working with oncology patients. Massage & Bodywork Aug/Sep 2000:48-58.

Hughes D et al. Massage therapy as a supportive care intervention for children with cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum 2008; 35(3):431-442.

Imanishi J, Kuriyama H, Shigemori I, Watanabe S, Aihara Y, Kita M, Sawai K, Nakajima H, Yoshida N, Kunisawa M, Kawase M, Fukui K. Anxiolytic effect of aromatherapy massage in patients with breast cancer. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Mar;6(1):123-8. Epub 2007 Jul 4.

Jane SW, Wilkie DJ, Gallucci BB, Beaton RD. Systematic review of massage intervention for adult patients with cancer: a methodological perspective. Cancer Nurs. 2008 Nov-Dec;31(6):E24-35. Review.

Jane SW, Wilkie DJ, Gallucci BB, Beaton RD, Huang HY. Effects of a full-body massage on pain intensity, anxiety, and physiological relaxation in Taiwanese patients with metastatic bone pain: a pilot study. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2008 Dec 11.

Jane SW et al. Systematic review of massage intervention for adult patients with cancer. Cancer Nursing 2008; 31(6):E24-35. Click here for an abstract at Medline.

Kite SM et al. Development of an aromatherapy service at a cancer centre. Palliative Medicine 1998;12:171-180.

Kunz K, Kunz B. Reflexions: the journal of reflexology research project 2001. At www.reflexology-research.com.

Kutner J, et al. Massage therapy versus simple touch to improve pain and mood in patients with advanced cancer. Annals of Internal Medicine: September 16, 2008; 149:6;369-380.

Lawvere S. The effect of massage therapy in ovarian cancer patients. In Rich GJ, ed. Massage Therapy: The Evidence for Practice Edinburgh: Mosby 2002:57-83.

Listing M, Reißhauer A, Krohn M, Voigt B, Tjahono G, Becker J, Klapp BF, Rauchfuß M. Massage therapy reduces physical discomfort and improves mood disturbances in women with breast cancer. Psychooncology. 2009 Feb 2.

Lively BT, Holiday-Goodman M, Black CD, Arondekar B. Massage therapy for chemotherapy-induced emesis. In Rich GJ, (ed). Massage Therapy: The Evidence for Practice. Edinburgh: Mosby 2002:85-104.

Mackereth P, Campbell G, Maycock P, Hennings J, Breckons M. 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. Click here for an abstract.

MacDonald G. Massage for cancer patients: a review of nursing research. Massage Therapy Journal Summer 1995:53-56.

Mann E. Using acupuncture and acupressure to treat postoperative emesis. Professional Nurse July 1999;14(10):691-694.

Mathis E. The effects of massage therapy in symptom management for a patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. MassageTherapyPractice.com, May/Jun 2007.

Mehling W, et al. Symptom management with massage and acupuncture in postoperative cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Mar 2007;33(3):258-266.

Mehling W, et al. Bias control in trials of bodywork: a review of methodological issues. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2005;11:333-342.

Menard MB. The effect of therapeutic massage on post-surgical outcomes. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Virginia 1995.

Menard MB, Piltch C. Massage and cancer: understanding the research. Massage Therapy Journal fall 2006; 45(3):161-164.

Milligan M, et al. Reflexology audit: patient satisfaction, impact on quality of life and availability in Scottish hospices. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 2002;8(10):489-496.

Moyer C, et al. A meta-analysis of massage therapy research. American Psychological Association, Inc. 2004;130(1):1,3-18.

Myers C, Walton T, Small B. The value of massage therapy in cancer care. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America 2008;22:649-660. Click here for an abstract.

Myers C, Walton T, Bratsman L, Wilson J, Small B. Massage modalities and sypmtoms reported by cancer patients: narrative review. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology Winter 2008;6(1):19-28.

Nixon M, Teschendorff J, Finney J, Kamilowicz W. Expanding the nursing repertoire: the effect of massage on post-operative pain. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing Mar 1997;14(3):21-26.

Patterson M, Maurer S, Adler SR, Avins AL. A novel clinical-trial design for the study of massage therapy. Complement Ther Med. 2008 Jun;16(3):169-76. Click here for an abstract.

Phipps, S. Reduction of distress associated with paediatric bone marrow transplant: complementary health promotion interventions. Pediatric Rehabilitation 2002;5(4):223-234.

Phipps S, Dunavant M, Gray E, Rai SN. Massage therapy in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: results of a pilot trial. Journal of Cancer Integrative Medicine 2005;3(2):62-70.

Polubinski JP, West L. Implementation of massage therapy program in the home hospice setting. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Jul 2005;30(1):104-106.

Post-White J, Fitzgerald M, Savik K, Hooke MC, Hannahan AB, Sencer SF. Massage therapy for children with cancer. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2009 Jan-Feb;26(1):16-28. Epub 2008 Dec 11.

Post-White J, Fitzgerald M, Hageness S, Sencer SF. Complementary and alternative medicine use in children with cancer and general and specialty pediatrics. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2009 Jan-Feb;26(1):7-15. Epub 2008 Oct 20.

Post-White J, Kinney ME, Wavik K, Gau JB, Wilcox C, Lerner I. Therapeutic massage and healing touch improve symptoms in cancer. Integrative Cancer Therapies 2003;2(4):332-44.

Quattrin R, et al. Use of reflexology foot massage to reduce anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients in chemotherapy treatment: methodology and outcomes. Journal of Nursing Management 2006;14:96-105.

Rexilius SJ, Mundt C, Erickson Megal M, Agrawal S. Therapeutic effects of massage therapy and handling touch on caregivers of patients undergoing autlogous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Oncology Nursing Forum 2002;20:E35-44.

Rhiner M, Ferrell BR, Ferrell BA, Grant MM. A structured nondrug intervention program for cancer pain. Cancer Practice Jul/Aug 1993;1(2):137-142.

Richards KC, et al. Effects of massage in acute and critical care. AACN Clinical Issues 2000;11(1):77-96.

Ross CSK, Hamilton J, Macrae G, Docherty C, Gould A, Cornbleet MA. A pilot study to evaluate the effect of reflexology on mood and symptom rating of advanced cancer patients. Palliative Medicine 2002;16:544-545.

Roth M, Lin J, Kim M, Moody K. Pediatric oncologists' views toward the use of complementary and alternative medicine in children with cancer. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2009 Mar;31(3):177-82.

Russell N, et al. Role of massage therapy in cancer care. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2008;12(2):209-214.

Sagar SM, et al. Massage therapy for cancer patients: a reciprocal relationship between body and mind. Current Oncology 14(2):45-56.

Sagar SM, et al. Research on thearpeutic massage for cancer patients: potential biologic mechanisms. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology Fall 2007;5(4):155-162.

Scott D, Donahue D, Mastrovito R, Hakes T. The antiemetic effect of clinical relaxation: report of an exploratory pilot study. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 1983;1(1):71-83.

Sherman K, et al. Development of a taxonomy to describe massage treatments for musculoskeletal pain. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine June 2006;6(24).

Shin YH, Kim TI, Shin MS, Juon HS. Effect of acupressure on nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy cycle for Korean postoperative stomach cancer patients. Cancer Nursing Jul/Aug 2004;27(4):267-74.

Sims S. Slow stroke back massage for cancer patients. Nursing Times 1986;82(13):47-50.

Sizia J, et al. Manual lymphatic drainage compared with simple lymphatic drainage in the treatment of post-mastecomy lymphedema. Physiotherapy Feb 2002;88(2):99-107.

Smith MC, et al. Benefits of massage therapy for hospitalized patients: a descriptive and qualitative evaluation. Alternative Therapies July 1999;5(4);64-71.

Smith MC, Kemp J. Hemphill L, Vojir CP. Outcomes of therapeutic massage for hospitalized cancer patients. Journal of Nursing Scholarship 2002;34(3):257-262.

Smith MC, Reeder F, Daniel L, Baramee J., Hagman J. Outcomes of touch therapies during bone marrow transplant. Althernative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2003;9(1):40-49.

Smith MC, et al. Developing treatment and control conditions in a clinical trial of massage therapy for advanced cancer. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology Fall 2007;5(4):139-146.

Soden K, et al. A randomized controlled trial of aromatherapy massage in a hospice setting. Palliative Medicine 2004;18:87-92.

Stephenson NL, Weinrich SP, Tavakoli AS. The effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and pain in patients with breast cancer and lung cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum 2000;27(1):67-72.

Stephenson N, Dalton JA, Carlson J. The effect of foot reflexology on pain in patients with metastatic cancer. Applied Nursing Research Nov 2003;16(4):284-6.

Sudmeier I, et al. Changes of renal blood flow during organ-associated foot reflexology measured by color Doppler sonography. National Library of Medicine June 1999;6(3):129-134.

Tope DM, Hann DM, Pinkson B. Massage therapy: an old intervention comes of age. Quality of Life - A Nursing Challenge 1994;3:14-18.

Toth M, Kahn J, Walton T, Hrbek A, Eisenberg DM, Phillips RS. Therapeutic massage intervention for hospitalized patients with cancer - a pilot study. Alternative and Complementary Therapies Jun 2003:117-124.

van der Riet P. The sexual embodiment of the cancer patient. Nursing Inquiry 1998;5:248-257.

van der Riet P. Massaged embodiment of cancer patients. (review) Australian Journal of Holistic Nursing 1999;6(1):4-13.

Verhoef MJ, et al. Alternative therapy use in neurologic diseases: use in brain tumor patients. Neurology Feb 1999;52(3):617-622.

Vickers AJ. Basic introduction to research: how not to do research. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2008 Spring;6(2):82-5.

Walton T. Making responsible claims about massage. Massage Magazine Dec 2008;151(48).

Walton T. Massage for caregivers. Massage Today April 2008;(4).

Weiger WA, Smith M, Boon H, Richardson MA, Kaptchuk TJ, Eisenberg DM. Advising patients who seek complementary and alternative medical therapies for cancer. Annals of Internal Medicine 2002;137:889-903.

Weinrich SP, Weinrich MC. The effect of massage on pain in cancer patients. Applied Nursing Research 1990;3(4):140-145.

Weinrich SP, et al. Therapeutic massage in older persons: research issues. British Journal of Nursing Jan 1999;8(3):159-164.

Westcombe AM, Gambles MA, Wilkinson SM, Barnes K, Fellowes D, Maher EJ, Young T, Love SB, Lucey RA, Cubbin S, Ramirez AJ. Learning the hard way! Setting up an RCT of aromatherapy massage for patients with advanced cancer. Palliative Medicine Jun 2003;17(4):300-7.

Weze C, et al. Healing by gentle touch ameliorates stress and other symptoms in people suffering with mental health disorders of psychological stress. Advance Access Publications Aug 2006:115-123.

Wilcock A, Manderson CA, Weller R, Walker G, Carr D, Carey AM, Broadhurst D, Mew J, Ernst E. Does aromatherapy massage benefit patients with cancer attending a specialist palliative care day centre? Palliative Care 2004;18:287-290.

Wilkie D, Kampbell J, Cutshall S, Halabisky H, Harmon H, Johnson LP, Weinacht L, Rake-Marone M. Effects of massage on pain intensity, analgesics and quality of life in patients with cancer pain: a pilot study of a randomized clinical trial conducted within hospice care delivery. The Hospice Journal 15(3):31-53.

Wilkinson S. et al. Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage in the management of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2007 25(5):532-539.

Wilkinson S. Aromatherapy and massage in palliative care. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 1995;1(1):21-30.

Wilkinson S. An evaluation of massage and aromatherapy massage in palliative care. Palliative medicine 1999;13:409-417.

Williams A, Selwyn PA, Liberti L, Molde S, Nijike VY McCorkle R, Zelterman D, Katz D. A randomized controlled trial of meditation and massage effects on quality of life in people with late-stage disease: a pilot study. Journal of Palliative Medicine 2005; 8(5):939-952.

Williams AF, et al. A randomized controlled crossover study of manual lymphatic drainage therapy in women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema. European Journal of Cancer Care 2002;11:254-261.

Wyatt G, et al. Feasibility of a reflexology and guided imagery intervention during chemotherapy: results of a quasi-experimental study. Oncology Nursing Forum 2007;34(3):635-642.

Yim VW, Ng AK, Tsang HW, Leung AY. A Review on the effects of aromatherapy for patients with depressive symptoms. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Feb 13.