Chair massage for patients and carers: a pilot service in an outpatient setting of a cancer care hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To gather patient and carer evaluations of a 20 min chair massage treatment provided one afternoon a week in an outpatient waiting area.


METHODS
Information gathered over a year included documented evaluation of chair massage, pre- and post-treatment well-being scores (visual analogue scale).


RESULTS
Both patients (n=224) and carers (n=185) positively evaluated the treatment. Key benefits reported included: relaxation, comfort, time out/treat, distraction, and relief of anxiety. There were significant changes in self-reported well-being score (p=<0.001), but no significant changes between scores for males and females. The changes in well-being scores on occasions (n=3) did not match the positive feedback.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that the service was appreciated by patients and carers. The project was continued for a further year with internal funding. Further research is warranted to ascertain the added and longer-term value of this intervention.
Mackereth
Peter
P
Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Rehabilitation Unit, Wilmslow, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. Peter.Mackereth@christie.nhs.uk
Campbell
Gwynneth
G
Maycock
Paula
P
Hennings
Jean
J
Breckons
Matthew
M
D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008603:Mental Health; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy