Massage therapy and quality of life of cancer patient in palliative care: literature review

Abstract

Introduction: The object of assistance to cancer patient, bearers of overall suffering, is to take care of the whole person, to ensure quality of life and accompany a peaceful death. Physical contact, extraordinary means of communication, goes beyond words, it allows you to heard and be heard, reassure and demonstrate emotional participation. Aim: Identify techniques and approaches complementary, such as massage therapy, and assess whether, with the traditional therapy, can improve the comfort of the person with advanced oncologic disease, treating it as a whole. Reference is made to concept of total pain not only physical suffering but also psychological, social and spiritual. Material and methods: We have consulted databases which PudMed and Cinahl, analysing 98 articles. There wan been included, oncologic patients with advance cancer, age <18, in palliative cancer centre, hospice or home and patients who received therapeutic massage techniques, excluding other types such as: Reiki, therapeutic touching. Articles published before 2000 were exclude. Finally, for the literature review 13 articles have been considered. Results: The articles assess the effectiveness of massage therapy on the physical al psychological symptoms. There has been reduction in pain, anxiety, depression and stress. Significant evidence of an increase in the feeling of relaxation and tranquillity. The treatment improved the state of health of the person and it was useful to find inner peace. Conclusions: Because in the literature are not documented adverse events related to massage therapy, it is considered and economic tool, non-invasive, easy to access and reach good levels of effectiveness, facilitating and establishment of an empathetic relationship. The evidence found allows the nurse to expand the knowledge and training for taking charge in personal care that is more holistic and improve the quality of life.