Different Types of Massage Therapy to Reduce Anxiety During Chemotherapy Infusion in Patients With Cancer
Start Date
8/28/2025
Completion Date
11/28/2026
Summary
This clinical trial tests how well different types of massage therapy works to reduce anxiety during chemotherapy infusions in patients with cancer. Many cancer patients experience moderate to severe anxiety and anxiety can worsen by the anticipation of medical procedures that patients have to receive, particularly chemotherapy. Massage therapy, as a complementary treatment, has shown promise in lessening both physical and psychological symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments. Research has also shown the benefits of massage therapy in reducing pain, stress, anxiety, nausea (upset stomach), fatigue (tiredness), and depression in cancer patients. Different types of massage therapy may potentially reduce some cancer patients' symptoms, enhance their treatment, and reduce treatment related side effects.
Detailed Description
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To assess the feasibility of 30-minute massages targeting various body regions among patients with cancer receiving anticancer therapy infusion. II. Assess which type of massage is preferred by patients with cancer receiving anticancer therapy infusion. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: I. To assess the change in anxiety levels after each type of massage therapy during infusion. EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE: I. To evaluate changes in other symptoms, such as: pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, and overall well-being, using data obtained from the Edmonton Symptoms Assessment scale (ESAS) after each type of massage therapy. OUTLINE: Patients receive massage therapy according to a randomized schedule to the feet/legs (FL), head/neck/shoulder (HNS), hands/arms (HA), combination of all three groups (FL, HNS, HA) or no massage therapy over 30 minutes for 5 chemotherapy sessions total on study. Patients also undergo saliva sample collection on study.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Range: 18 years to No maximum
Interventions
Best Practice
Biospecimen Collection
Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy
Questionnaire Administration
Conditions
Locations
City of Hope at Irvine Lennar
Irvine, California 92618
United States