Effect of Massage Therapy on Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Massage therapy has many kinds of effects on the physical and psychological conditions of healthy people and patients. Since it is well known that massage therapy can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, it is given to patients with cancer. Many researchers examined the effects of massage therapy including aromatherapy massage and observed a reduced state and trait anxiety, and improved mood, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in healthy people. It was found that massage therapy including aromatherapy massage can decrease the scores of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and psychological confusion of Profile of Mood State in healthy volunteers. Furthermore, it was recognized that patients with mild depression was ameliorated by aromatherapy massage. There are many studies on the effect of massage therapy including aromatherapy massage on anxiety, depression, stress, and QoL in patients with cancer. It appears that massage therapy can reduce anxiety and stress and improved QoL. In conclusion, massage therapy including aromatherapy massage in cancer patients would be beneficial for the reduction of anxiety, depression, and stress as well as pain, and is generally safe. However, further studies, especially randomized clinical trials, should be performed.