Effectiveness of Massage Therapy for Cancer Pain, Quality of Life and Anxiety Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACT

Aim

To synthesise the effectiveness of massage therapy for cancer pain, quality of life and anxiety among patients with cancer.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

This review was reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies evaluating the effects of massage therapy on cancer pain, quality of life or anxiety in patients with cancer pain were eligible. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation were used to assess the quality of studies. Outcomes were pooled using standardised mean differences and narratively synthesised when meta-analysis was not possible.

Data Sources

Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Google Scholar, ProQuest Theses and Dissertations were searched for English peer-reviewed studies and grey literature published from inception to 8 January 2024.

Results

Thirty-six RCTs involving 3671 participants were included. Massage therapy significantly improved pain (pooled SMD = −0.51, 95% CI −0.68 to −0.33), quality of life (pooled SMD = 0.48, 95% CI 0.19–0.78 when higher scores indicate better quality of life; pooled SMD = −0.52, 95% CI −0.88 to −0.16 when higher scores indicate poorer quality of life) and anxiety (pooled SMD = −0.38, 95% CI: −0.57 to −0.18) post-intervention. All outcomes had very low certainty of evidence. Most studies had unclear or high risk of bias.

Conclusion

This review found that massage therapy is beneficial to patients with cancer in improving pain, quality of life and anxiety. Healthcare institutions and healthcare professionals should recognise the value of massage therapy to enhance the care of patients with cancer pain.

Reporting Method

PRISMA guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.

Registration

PROSPERO CRD42023407311.