Cassileth, B. R., & Vickers, A. J. (2004). Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 28, 244–249.

Patients received one of three types of massage therapy and were asked to report their symptoms posttherapy. Massages were provided by 12 licensed massage therapists. Patients were referred by physicians, nurses, or self. Patients received Swedish, light touch, or foot massage according to their preference. On average, sessions lasted 20 minutes for inpatients and 60 minutes for outpatients.

In total, 1,290 patients were included. 

Inpatient and outpatient

Patients reported the level of symptom distress (0–10) on a card prior to and following massage therapy. Comparisons were analyzed by analysis of covariance, with the baseline score as the covariate.

The effect of massage on symptom relief was demonstrated as a positive response with respect to depression.

• Participants were not randomized.
• The information about the study demographics or participants did not include enough detail.
• There was no standard procedure for length of massage or specific type of session. Patients had a choice of three techniques.
• Patients were referred to massage therapy, including self-referral. Self-referral may skew the posttherapy reports because patients expect a benefit.
• No standardized assessment tool was used to measure the results because symptoms were rated on a card.
• There was no way to differentiate which of the massage techniques was the most beneficial.