Chen, T.H., Tung, T.H., Chen, P.S., Wang, S.H., Chao, C.M., Hsiung, N.H., & Chi, C.C. (2016). The clinical effects of aromatherapy massage on reducing pain for the cancer patients: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 9147974.

DOI Link

Purpose

STUDY PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of massage in reducing cancer-related pain

TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review

Search Strategy

DATABASES USED: PubMed and Cochrane Collaboration
 
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized, controlled trial, comparison of massage with essential oils to a no-massage control group.
 
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: None specified

Literature Evaluated

TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: 63
 
EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Cochrane collaboration risk of bias assessment. Mixed findings for risk of bias

Sample Characteristics

  • FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 3
  • TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 278
  • SAMPLE RANGE ACROSS STUDIES: 14–115 patients
  • KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: No details were provided.

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Not specified or not applicable
 
APPLICATIONS: Palliative care

Results

The pooled standard mean difference was 0.01, showing no effect of aromatherapy massage compared to usual care for reduction in pain.

Conclusions

Findings do not show that aromatherapy massage is effective in reducing pain.

Limitations

  • Limited search
  • Limited number of studies included
  • Low sample sizes

Nursing Implications

Overall, mixed evidence existed regarding effects of massage therapies for pain management among patients with cancer. This analysis did not show effectiveness of aromatherapy massage, but was very limited by the small number of studies included and small study samples. Massage is a low-risk intervention that may be beneficial for some patients.

Legacy ID

5879