Kashani, F., & Kashani, P. (2014). The effect of massage therapy on the quality of sleep in breast cancer patients. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 19, 113–118.

To determine the effects of massage on sleep quality in patients with breast cancer

A random sample of women in a chemotherapy clinic was obtained, and individuals randomly were assigned to control and experimental groups. Those in the experimental group received effleurage style massage therapy by a certified practitioner for 20 minutes three times a week for four weeks in the clinic. Patients in the control group received usual care. Study measures were obtained at baseline and at four weeks.

• N = 57
• MEAN AGE = 43.5 years
• FEMALES: 100%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: All had breast cancer and were an average of 3.5 months after surgery.
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: About 13% in both groups were receiving hypnotics.

• SITE: Single site  
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient  
• LOCATION: Iran

• PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

• Single-blind RCT

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

In the experimental group, sleep latency, use of hypnotics, and sleep time improved (p < .001) from baseline. In the control group, sleep adequacy and use of hypnotics also improved (p < .05). No differences were seen in quality of life between groups.

Massage therapy may improve some aspects of sleep in women with breast cancer during active treatment.

• Small sample (less than 100)
• Baseline sample/group differences of import
• Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)
• Measurement/methods not well described
• Intervention expensive, impractical, or training needs
• Other limitations/explanation: The measurement used for quality of life is not described. The control group had overall lower sleep quality at baseline and more use of hypnotics. Because massage was done in the chemo clinic, whether contamination could have occurred with the control group in the same clinic is not clear. Reporting is unclear. Verbal discussion of results does not match tabular information.

Although this study does not provide strong support for the effectiveness of massage to improve sleep quality among women during therapy, massage is a low-risk intervention and these findings suggest that it might be helpful. For patients with sleep disturbance, massage may be an alternative that is helpful and preferred by some patients.