Massage Therapy Effects on Pain and Distress/Anxiety in Breast Cancer Patients

Massage Therapy Effects on Pain and Distress/Anxiety in Breast Cancer Patients by Tanya B. Buchrieser MA, Dowling College, 2003 BS, Cortland College, 1998 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University August 2015  Pain and distress/anxiety are likely to result from breast cancer and/or the medical treatment associated with this illness. Breast cancer researchers have focused on massage therapy and its influence on pain and distress in breast cancer patients; however, these research efforts were limited by small sample sizes, homogeneous populations, and small to medium effect sizes. This study explores the effectiveness of massage therapy for decreasing pain and distress in a larger, heterogeneous population of breast cancer patients and across all durations and frequencies of treatment by pooling the findings of former studies. The gate control theory which relates to the experience of pain, the psychotherapy theory which suggests massage acts much like psychotherapy, and the physical touch theory all suggest that massage may decrease pain and distress/anxiety. In order to be included in the meta-analysis, the study needed to be printed in English between the years 2004 and 2012, use the same variables and same method of treatment, and report an effect size or statistics that allowed for effect size calculation. The metaanalysis was quantitative and the effect sizes were calculated for each study using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. CMA also calculated the overall pooled effect size. Findings indicated that individual studies showed some improvements in pain and distress after receiving treatment; however, when pooled, the results indicated that massage therapy did not significantly improve levels of pain and distress in breast cancer patients. Although findings were non significant, the use of massage therapy improved symptoms of pain and distress in breast cancer patients.Pain and distress/anxiety are likely to result from breast cancer and/or the medical treatment associated with this illness. Breast cancer researchers have focused on massage therapy and its influence on pain and distress in breast cancer patients; however, these research efforts were limited by small sample sizes, homogeneous populations, and small to medium effect sizes. This study explores the effectiveness of massage therapy for decreasing pain and distress in a larger, heterogeneous population of breast cancer patients and across all durations and frequencies of treatment by pooling the findings of former studies. The gate control theory which relates to the experience of pain, the psychotherapy theory which suggests massage acts much like psychotherapy, and the physical touch theory all suggest that massage may decrease pain and distress/anxiety. In order to be included in the meta-analysis, the study needed to be printed in English between the years 2004 and 2012, use the same variables and same method of treatment, and report an effect size or statistics that allowed for effect size calculation. The metaanalysis was quantitative and the effect sizes were calculated for each study using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. CMA also calculated the overall pooled effect size. Findings indicated that individual studies showed some improvements in pain and distress after receiving treatment; however, when pooled, the results indicated that massage therapy did not significantly improve levels of pain and distress in breast cancer patients. Although findings were non significant, the use of massage therapy improved symptoms of pain and distress in breast cancer patients. Massage Therapy Effects on Pain and Distress/Anxiety in Breast Cancer Patients by Tanya B. Buchrieser MA, Dowling College, 2003 BS, Cortland College, 1998 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University August 2015 Dedication I would like to dedicate this work to my mother and father. They have taught me the art of commitment and push for tenacity. I would also like to thank my brother Erich for your support and words of encouragement. Lastly, I would like to thank my significant other. You have cheered me on to the finish line and have always been an ear when I was the most frustrated. Thank you, all. Acknowledgments I would like to take this opportunity to thank my chair, Dr. King and methodologist, Dr. Napoli for their patience and guidance throughout this process. Without you, I would not have made it to this point. I would also like to thank my family for providing me with the utmost support from start to finish.