Alternative therapies associated with reduction in cancer-related pain and anxiety, Allina researchers find

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For reducing pain, therapeutic body massage, reflexology, acupressure and acupuncture were most effective. For reducing anxiety, no significant difference was found among the therapies.

The data also revealed that women and younger patients were most likely to receive the therapies, and that body massage was the one most commonly chosen.

“These findings are really important as we start moving into a patient-centered realm of how medical care is provided,” said Dusek. “We’re trying to do the best for patients clinically with all the best that Western medicine can provide, but the psychosocial and emotional parts of the patients are also important.”

“We’re thrilled that these are low-toxic, low-risk and relatively low-cost solutions to managing pain and anxiety in an acute care setting, which is very challenging,” he added.

The alternative therapies used in the study included bodywork (head massage, body massage and reflexology), mind-body and energy therapies (meditation and guided imagery) and traditional Chinese medicine (acupressure, acupuncture and Korean hand therapy). These services were offered at no charge to the patients, as they are to all hospitalized cancer patients at Abbott, said Dusek.

http://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2014/11/alternative-therapies-associated-reduction-cancer-related-pain-and-anxiety-al