The efficacy of classical massage on stress perception and cortisol following primary treatment of breast cancer

Results:

Compared with the control group, women in the intervention group reported lower mood disturbances and perceived stress levels were reduced after massage therapy.

 Listing, M., Krohn, M., Liezmann, C., Kim, I, Reisshauer, A., Peters, E., Lapp, B.F. & Rauchfuss, M. (2010).

Methods:

Women diagnosed with breast cancer were randomized into an intervention or control group. For 5 weeks the intervention group received biweekly 30-min classical massages and the control group received no additional treatment to their routine healthcare.