Chemotherapy is one of the major treatments for cancer patients to cure or palliate their disease. Cancer patients experience physiological and psychological distress during chemotherapy treatment. Anxiety is the most common symptom observed in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Anxiety has also proven to be highly associated with anticipatory nausea and vomiting (ANV). In the local chemotherapy day ward, almost half of the cancer patients verbalize that they feel anxious and are afraid of turning up for chemotherapy due to the fear of its side effects. However, clinical measure for treating patients’ anxiety during chemotherapy is limited. One of the complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), massage therapy, becomes a useful means for cancer patients to relieve their physical and psychological distress. Yet, massage is not a routine CAM being integrated into the cancer treatment in Hong Kong, including the target center. Thus, a translational study is proposed in order to develop a massage program for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy to relieve their anxiety. A systematic search of five electronic journal databases identified 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of massage therapy for cancer patients in relieving their anxiety. The appraisal tool developed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used to evaluate the quality of the selected studies. The findings of the selected studies concluded that massage therapy is effective in relieving anxiety for cancer patients. A massage program is proposed to be implemented in a chemotherapy day ward. This translational research proposal will illustrate how such a massage program is planned. The implementation potential has been assessed and the potential benefits of massage do outweigh its risks and the costs of running this program. An evidence-based guideline has been developed to ensure patient safety and increase effectiveness of the massage program. The communication process with stakeholders has been planned in order to gain their support for this massage program. Staff training will be organized and a pilot study has been designed to test the feasibility of this program. An evaluation plan has also been developed to assess the effectiveness of this program. Anxiety level, measured by using State Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S), is set as the primary patient outcome of this study. In addition, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), rating from 0 to 10, will be used as the secondary patient outcome to measure the severity of nausea and vomiting. Lastly, the satisfaction level of patients, volunteers and nurses will be measured using a 4-point Likert scale. Therefore, the proposed massage program can be improved and refined according to the evaluation findings. It is believed that the proposed massage program can reduce anxiety for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and thus improving their quality of life. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

Thesis PlanA (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Diploma in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 1994. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of essential oils, applied by means of effleurage massage, in the treatment of mechanical low back pain, in terms of the patient's physical and psychological responses to the essential oils, in order to determine the role of essential oils in the management of mechanical low back pain. / M

This study examined the effects of massage therapy on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) following unaccustomed exercise in healthy, sedentary adults. Fifteen volunteers between the ages of 23 and 63 performed 100 calf raises followed by 15 minutes of rest. After the rest period, one leg was randomly assigned to receive a 5-minute massage while the other leg received a 5-minute placebo ultrasound treatment. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate DOMS at 24, 48, and 72 hour posttreatment intervals when DOMS reportedly is at its peak. A double blind control was employed so that the examiner was unaware as to which treatments were performed on each leg. A t-test for nonindependent samples was used with significance set at the 0.05 level. There was less DOMS reported in the massaged leg at each interval, however, only a significant reduction in DOMS was reported at the 24 hour posttreatment interval.

Thesis (M.A.)--Central Connecticut State University, 2003. / Thesis advisor: Joanne DiPlacido. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 31-37).

Prematurity is a common health issue worldwide. In Hong Kong, the rate of prematurity is in an increasing trend, from 4.7% in 1999 to 5.1% in 2004 (Tertiary-wide Obstetric & Gynecology Audit Report, 2004). Preterm infants are usually required to hospitalize in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which expose them to certain stressors such as noise, caregiver procedure, medical manipulations and pain (Harrison et al., 2003). Stress would lead to certain illnesses likes metabolic and cardiovascular disorders (Caldji, Diorio, & Meaney, 2000). Facing stress of preterm infants not only affects the developmental and neurodevelopment outcome but also increase the morbidity and mortality (Mitchell & Boss, 2002). Preterm birth is a complicated health problem which affects the infant itself and also increase the burden to society as it costs nearly US$26 billion dollars per year for both inpatient and outpatient care (Richard & Adrienne, 2007). Although there were many known benefits of massage therapy in premature infants and the safety of practicing was being acknowledged, massage therapy is still not being practiced in Hong Kong health care settings. Massage therapy was effective in reducing signs of stress on premature infants and could be performed by parents safely as evidenced by six researches (Dieter, Field, Hernandez-Reif, Emory, & Redzepi, 2003; Hernandez-Reif, Diego, & Field, 2007; Lee, 2005; Kuhn, Schanberg, Field, Symanski, Zimmerman, Scafidi, & Roberts, 1991; Smith, Kux, Haley, Beechy, & Moyer-Mileur, 2012; Wheeden, Scafidi, Ironson, Valdeon, & Bandstra, 1993). Based on the evidence, a new evidence-based practice was developed for reducing signs of stress of premature infant by using massage therapy in NICU. Implementation potential was reviewed in relation to target setting, transferability of findings and cost-benefit analysis. Implementation plan was developed. Stakeholders were identified and communication process was discussed in details. Pilot testing would be carried out to assess the feasibility of implementing the guideline. Finally, evaluation on patient, parents and healthcare providers’ outcome were required in implementing this new change smoothly. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

Growing evidence suggests that chronic health conditions and disability act as reliable predictors of complementary/ alternative medicine (CAM) use. Such use may have the potential for some to increase independence and quality of life. Moreover, research indicates that older people are significant consumers of CAM services. Yet, understanding profiles of older individuals of these services continues to remain under researched. Here, a widely used type of CAM was considered – massage therapy (MT). Towards better understanding MT user profiles, this study tested a modified version of the Andersen Health Behavior Model to help ascertain if it is useful towards understanding factors associated with massage therapy (MT) utilization. Respondents represented an elderly sample (aged 60+) that resided within a large urban city in Ontario Canada (Toronto). Eligible respondents at the time of the study were non-institutionalized and self-reported having one of more current chronic illness conditions which they have had for six months or more, and had been diagnosed by a medical doctor. Using a quantitative method, retrospective data were gathered using a pre-tested English-only mail questionnaire, developed specifically for this study. Data were gathered over a period of 6 months, between late 2000 to mid 2001. Bivariate analysis suggests that inequity exists whereby the ability to access massage therapy varies according to one’s socioeconomic status. This is further supported using backwards step-wise regression analysis, whereby one’s total annual household income was a strong predictor of MT use status. One’s CAM-related health and social network as well as having back problems also emerged as strong predictors of MT use. Overall findings suggest that a modified Andersen model as used in this study does have utility in relation to helping to identify potential factors associated with the utilization of massage therapy. Based on regression analysis, findings here suggest, for example, that those with higher incomes are 1.5 times more likely to use MT. This provides support that there are existing inequities regarding access to rehabilitation-oriented health care services. With population aging and rising numbers of people needing restorative and rehabilitation services, study findings will increasingly have important public health as well as health care policy related implications.

Growing evidence suggests that chronic health conditions and disability act as reliable predictors of complementary/ alternative medicine (CAM) use. Such use may have the potential for some to increase independence and quality of life. Moreover, research indicates that older people are significant consumers of CAM services. Yet, understanding profiles of older individuals of these services continues to remain under researched. Here, a widely used type of CAM was considered – massage therapy (MT). Towards better understanding MT user profiles, this study tested a modified version of the Andersen Health Behavior Model to help ascertain if it is useful towards understanding factors associated with massage therapy (MT) utilization. Respondents represented an elderly sample (aged 60+) that resided within a large urban city in Ontario Canada (Toronto). Eligible respondents at the time of the study were non-institutionalized and self-reported having one of more current chronic illness conditions which they have had for six months or more, and had been diagnosed by a medical doctor. Using a quantitative method, retrospective data were gathered using a pre-tested English-only mail questionnaire, developed specifically for this study. Data were gathered over a period of 6 months, between late 2000 to mid 2001. Bivariate analysis suggests that inequity exists whereby the ability to access massage therapy varies according to one’s socioeconomic status. This is further supported using backwards step-wise regression analysis, whereby one’s total annual household income was a strong predictor of MT use status. One’s CAM-related health and social network as well as having back problems also emerged as strong predictors of MT use. Overall findings suggest that a modified Andersen model as used in this study does have utility in relation to helping to identify potential factors associated with the utilization of massage therapy. Based on regression analysis, findings here suggest, for example, that those with higher incomes are 1.5 times more likely to use MT. This provides support that there are existing inequities regarding access to rehabilitation-oriented health care services. With population aging and rising numbers of people needing restorative and rehabilitation services, study findings will increasingly have important public health as well as health care policy related implications.

Aim: The aim is to create a review that examines different forms of massage therapy and their effects on hypertension. Method: Literature review of 10 scientific articles on the subject of massage and its effects on blood pressure. The literature searches were made with PubMed and Cinahl using the keywords "massage therapy", "effects" and "blood pressure". Results: The articles showed that massage had a positive effect in lowering blood pressure. This could be explained by greater extent of relaxation in the participants investigated and an increased activity of parasympaticus and reduced secretion of stress hormones. The articles do not agree on what form of massage therapy is most effective in lowering blood pressure and it is uncertain for how long the effect can remain. Conclusion: Massage is usually seen as a treatment without scientific basis. There is evidence that suggests that massage therapy is an effective treatment for lowering blood pressure. The articles show that different forms of massage effect blood pressure in various ways. However, a larger randomized controlled trial is needed to determine whether massage therapy can be used as a complement to medical treatment for hypertension and what form of massage is the most effective.

Thesis (M.Nsg.) -- Flinders University, School of Nursing and Midwifery. / Typescript (bound). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-146). Also available online.