Massage Therapy for Reducing Stress Hormones and Enhancing Immune Function in Breast Cancer Survivors
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to examine massage and relaxation therapy effects for women with early stages of breast cancer for 1) reducing anxiety, stress and stress hormones, 2) decreasing depressed mood and increasing serotonin (a biochemical that diminishes with depression) and 3) increasing Natural Killer cell number and cytotoxicity (immune measures that fight tumors and viruses). During the course of the three-year study, 60 women diagnosed with Stage 1 and 2 breast cancer were to be recruited and assigned to massage (n=20), relaxation (n=20) or control groups (n=20). Women in the massage and relaxation therapies were to receive 3 sessions a week for 5 weeks. On the first and last days of the 5-week period and at a follow-up period, measures were to be collected on anxiety and depression, and urine and blood samples were to be assayed for treatment effects on stress hormones and immune measures. At this point, we have screened and enrolled 56 women into the study. Women in the massage therapy group showed 1) reduced anxiety, 2) improved mood, 3) increased serotonin and dopamine levels, and 4) increased Natural Killer cell numbers and lymphocytes; For the relaxation group, findings included 1) reduced anxiety and improved mood after the first session, 2) decreased norepineplirine (catecholamine stress marker) and 3) increased NK cell cytotoxicity. These findings support the hypotheses that massage and relaxation therapies enhance mood and immune function for women with breast cancer. A follow-up study is inconclusive at this point as not enough women have been seen. We have asked for an extension of one-year to complete the follow-up.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA409001
Entities
People
- Gail Ironson
Organizations
- University of Miami