Soden, K., Vincent, K., Craske, S., Lucas, C. & Ashley, S. (2004). A randomized controlled trial of aromatherapy massage in a hospice setting. Palliative Medicine, 18, 87–92.

Participants were randomly allocated to receive weekly massages with either lavender (aromatherapy group), an inert carrier oil (massage group), or no intervention. The two massage groups received a 30-minute back massage weekly for four weeks. Scales were completed the week before the first treatment and in the week after the last massage.

• N = 42
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Advanced cancer

• SITE: Multi-site
• LOCATION: Palliative care units in the United Kingdom

• A visual analog scale of pain intensity
• A Modified Tursky Pain Descriptors Scale
• The Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale
• The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
• The Rotterdam Symptom Checklist

Significant long-term benefits of aromatherapy or massage were not demonstrated for pain, anxiety, or quality of life. A statistically significant reduction in depression scores was present in the massage group.

• RCT but small sample size
• Predominance of women and older age group limit the ability to generalize.
• The measurement interval allows other variables to affect the scores in this population of low performance and fatigued patients.
• Study recruitment took two years.