The effect of massage on cellular immunity, endocrine and psychological factors in women with breast cancer -- a randomized controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of repeated effleurage massage treatments compared with a visit control group on circulating lymphocytes by studying the number and activity of peripheral blood NK cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in women with breast cancer. Furthermore, the effect of repeated effleurage massage treatments on the levels of cortisol in saliva and oxytocin in plasma as well as degree anxiety, depression and quality of life was studied.


METHODS
A single centre, prospective, randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
The study was conducted in a radiation department, in a hospital in south-western Sweden.


METHODS
Twenty-two women (mean age=62) with breast cancer undergoing radiation were included in this study.


METHODS
The patients were randomly assigned to effleurage massage therapy (20 min of effleurage on ten occasions) or to control visits (ten 20-minute visits).


METHODS
Blood samples were collected before the first and last massage/control visit for analysis of peripheral blood NK, T cells and oxytocin. Saliva was analysed for cortisol. In addition, the patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire and Spielbergers State Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to the first and last massage/control visit.


RESULTS
Effleurage massage treatment had no significant effect on the number, frequencies or activation state of NK cells or CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, no significant changes between groups were detected on cortisol and oxytocin concentrations, anxiety, depression or quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant effect of effleurage massage on cellular immunity, cortisol, oxytocin, anxiety, depression or quality of life could not be demonstrated in this study. Several possible explanations to the results of this study are discussed.
Billhult
A
A
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology/Physiotherapy, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. annika.billhult@vgregion.se
Lindholm
C
C
Gunnarsson
Ronny
R
Stener-Victorin
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000097:blood; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010121:Oxytocin; D006854:Hydrocortisone