Top

Published in:

Open Access 01-05-2013 | Original Article

Touch, Caring, and Cancer: randomized controlled trial of a multimedia caregiver education program

Authors: William Collinge, Janet Kahn, Tracy Walton, Leila Kozak, Susan Bauer-Wu, Kenneth Fletcher, Paul Yarnold, Robert Soltysik

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2013

Abstract

Purpose

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate outcomes of a multimedia instructional program for family caregivers in simple touch-based techniques to provide comfort to cancer patients at home.

Methods

A multilingual 78-min DVD and 66-page manual were produced for homebased instruction. Content addresses attitudes and communication about touch in cancer, psychological preparation for giving and receiving touch, safety precautions, massage techniques for comfort and relaxation, acupressure for specific cancer-related symptoms, and practice in the home setting. Materials were produced in English, Spanish, and Chinese versions. A community-based multiethnic sample of 97 adult patient/caregiver dyads was randomized to experimental (massage) or attention control (reading) groups for 4 weeks. Massage dyads received the program and instructions to practice at least three times per week, while control caregivers read to their patients for the same frequency. Self-report instruments assessed change in symptom severity, quality of life, perceived stress, and caregiver attitudes.

Results

Significant reductions in all symptoms occurred for patients after both activities: 12–28 % reductions after reading vs. 29–44 % after massage. Massage caregivers showed significant gains in confidence, comfort, and self-efficacy using touch and massage as forms of caregiving.

Conclusions

Multimedia instruction in touch and massage methods may offer family members a viable means of enhancing self-efficacy and satisfaction in caregiving while decreasing patient pain, depression, and other symptoms. Family members may be able to learn and apply safe and simple methods that increase patient comfort and reduce distress.

Listing M, Krohn M, Liezmann C, Kim I, Reisshauer A, Peters E, Klapp BF, Rauchfuss M (2010) The efficacy of classical massage on stress perception and cortisol following primary treatment of breast cancer. Arch Womens Ment Health 13(2):165–173PubMedCrossRef

Stringer J, Swindell R, Dennis M (2008) Massage in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy reduces serum cortisol and prolactin. Psychooncology 17(10):1024–1031PubMedCrossRef

Sharp DM, Walker MB, Chaturvedi A, Upadhyay S, Hamid A, Walker AA, Bateman JS, Braid F, Ellwood K, Hebblewhite C, Hope T, Lines M, Walker LG (2010) A randomised, controlled trial of the psychological effects of reflexology in early breast cancer. Eur J Cancer 46(2):312–322PubMedCrossRef

Sturgeon M, Wetta-Hall R, Hart T, Good M, Dakhil S (2009) Effects of therapeutic massage on the quality of life among patients with breast cancer during treatment. J Altern Complement Med 15(4):373–380PubMedCrossRef

Billhult A, Stener-Victorin E, Bergbom I (2007) The experience of massage during chemotherapy treatment in breast cancer patients. Clin Nurs Res 16(2):85–99PubMedCrossRef

Wilkie DJ, Kampbell J, Cutshall S, Halabisky H, Harmon H, Johnson LP, Weinacht L, Rake-Marona M (2000) Effects of massage on pain intensity, analgesics and quality of life in patients with cancer pain: a pilot study of a randomized clinical trial conducted within hospice care delivery. Hosp J 15(3):31–53PubMedCrossRef

Listing M, Reisshauer A, Krohn M, Voigt B, Tjahono G, Becker J, Klapp BF, Rauchfuss M (2009) Massage therapy reduces physical discomfort and improves mood disturbances in women with breast cancer. Psychooncology 18(12):1290–1299PubMedCrossRef

Campeau MP, Gaboriault R, Drapeau M, Van Nguyen T, Roy I, Fortin B, Marois M, Nguyen-Tân PF (2007) Impact of massage therapy on anxiety levels in patients undergoing radiation therapy: randomized controlled trial. J Soc Integr Oncol 5(4):133–138PubMedCrossRef

Mehling WE, Jacobs B, Acree M, Wilson L, Bostrom A, West J, Acquah J, Burns B, Chapman J, Hecht FM (2007) Symptom management with massage and acupuncture in postoperative cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. J Pain Symptom Manage 33(3):258–266PubMedCrossRef

10.

Billhult A, Bergbom I, Stener-Victorin E (2007) Massage relieves nausea in women with breast cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy. J Altern Complement Med 13(1):53–57PubMedCrossRef

11.

Post-White J, Kinney ME, Savik K, Gau JB, Wilcox C, Lerner I (2003) Therapeutic massage and healing touch improve symptoms in cancer. Integr Cancer Ther 2(4):332–344PubMedCrossRef

12.

Stephenson N, Dalton JA, Carlson J (2003) The effect of foot reflexology on pain in patients with metastatic cancer. Appl Nurs Res 16(4):284–286PubMedCrossRef

13.

Weinrich SP, Weinrich MC (1990) The effect of massage on pain in cancer patients. Appl Nurs Res 3(4):140–145PubMedCrossRef

14.

Smith MC, Kemp J, Hemphill L, Vojir CP (2002) Outcomes of therapeutic massage for hospitalized cancer patients. J Nurs Scholarsh 34(3):257–262PubMedCrossRef

15.

Ross CS, Hamilton J, Macrae G, Docherty C, Gould A, Cornbleet MA (2002) A pilot study to evaluate the effect of reflexology on mood and symptom rating of advanced cancer patients. Palliat Med 16(6):544–545PubMedCrossRef

16.

Grealish L, Lomasney A, Whiteman B (2000) Foot massage: a nursing intervention to modify the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea in patients hospitalized with cancer. Cancer Nurs 23(3):237–243PubMedCrossRef

17.

Stephenson NL, Weinrich SP, Tavakoli AS (2000) The effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and pain in patients with breast and lung cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum 27(1):67–72PubMed

18.

Kutner JS, Smith MC, Corbin L, Hemphill L, Benton K, Mellis BK, Beaty B, Felton S, Yamashita TE, Bryant LL, Fairclough DL (2008) Massage therapy versus simple touch to improve pain and mood in patients with advanced cancer: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 149(6):369–379PubMed

19.

Cassileth BR, Vickers AJ (2004) Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center. J Pain Sympt Management 28(3):244–249CrossRef

20.

Demmer C (2004) A survey of complementary therapy services provided by hospices. J Palliat Med 7(4):510–516PubMedCrossRef

21.

Kozak LE, Kayes L, McCarty R, Walkinshaw C, Congdon S, Kleinberger J, Hartman V, Standish LJ (2009) Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by Washington State hospices. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 25(6):463–468CrossRef

22.

Wellisch DK, Jamison KR, Passau RO (1978) Psychosocial aspects of mastectomy: II. The man’s perspective. Am J Psychiatry 135:543–546PubMed

23.

Keller M, Henrich G, Beutel M, Sellschopp A (1998) Mutuality of distress and support in couples including a cancer patient. Psychother Psychosom Med Psyc 48(9–10):358–368

24.

Omne-Ponte M, Homnber L, Bergstron R, Sjoden PO, Burns T (1993) Psychosocial adjustment among husbands of women treated for breast cancer: mastectomy versus breast conserving surgery. Eur J Cancer 29A:1393–1397CrossRef

25.

Northouse LL, Mood D, Templin T, Mellon S, George T (2000) Couples’ patterns of adjustment to colon cancer. Soc Sci Med 50(2):271–284PubMedCrossRef

26.

Baider L, DeNour A (1984) Couples’ reactions and adjustment to mastectomy: a preliminary report. Int J Psychiatry Med 14:265–276CrossRef

27.

Baider L, Kaplan De-Nour A (1988) Adjustment to cancer: who is the patient—the husband or the wife? Isr J Med Sci 24(9–10):631–636PubMed

28.

Kirschner-Hermanns R, Jakse G (2002) Quality of life following radical prostatectomy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 43(2):141PubMedCrossRef

29.

Poulin MJ, Brown SL, Ubel PA, Smith DM, Jankovic A, Langa KM (2010) Does a helping hand mean a heavy heart? Helping behavior and well-being among spouse caregivers. Psychol Aging 25(1):108–117PubMedCrossRef

30.

Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Quintino O, Wheeden C, Schanberg S, Kuhn C (1997) Elder retired volunteers benefit from giving massage therapy to infants. J Appl Gerontol 17:229–239CrossRef

31.

Stephenson NL, Swanson M, Dalton J, Keefe FJ, Engelke M (2007) Partner-delivered reflexology: effects on cancer pain and anxiety. Oncol Nurs Forum 34(1):127–132PubMedCrossRef

32.

McCorkle R, Pasacreta J (2001) Enhancing caregiver outcomes in palliative care. Cancer Control 8(1):36–45PubMed

33.

Collinge W, Kahn J, Yarnold P, Bauer-Wu S, McCorkle R (2007) Couples and cancer: feasibility of brief instruction in massage and touch therapy to build caregiver efficacy. J Soc Integr Oncol 5(4):147–154PubMedCrossRef

34.

CrossCurrent Communications (2012) CrossCurrent Productions, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

35.

Given CW, Given B, Stommel M, Collins C, King S, Franklin S (1992) The caregiver reaction assessment (CRA) for caregivers to persons with chronic physical and mental impairments. Res Nurs Health 15(4):271–283PubMedCrossRef

36.

Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R (1983) A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav 24:385–396PubMedCrossRef

37.

Cella DF, Tulsky DS, Gray G (1993) The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale: development and validation of the general measure. J Clin Oncol 11(3):570–579PubMed

38.

Yarnold PR, Soltysik RC, Bennett CL (1997) Predicting in-hospital mortality of patients with AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: An example of hierarchically optimal classification tree analysis. Statistics in Medicine 16:1451–1463PubMedCrossRef

39.

Yarnold PR, Soltysik RC (2005) Optimal data analysis: guidebook with software for Windows. APA Books, Washington, DC

Title: Touch, Caring, and Cancer: randomized controlled trial of a multimedia caregiver education program
Authors: William Collinge
Janet Kahn
Tracy Walton
Leila Kozak
Susan Bauer-Wu
Kenneth Fletcher
Paul Yarnold
Robert Soltysik
Publication date: 01-05-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 5/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1682-6

Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Watch now

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras

Prof. Fabrice Barlesi

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 5/2013

Quality of life in patients with muscle invasive and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

In search of the sixth vital sign: cancer care in Romania

Treatment of acute and chronic focal neuropathic pain in cancer patients with lidocaine 5 % patches. A radiation and oncology department experience

Acupuncture for the treatment of cancer pain: a systematic review. Response to authors

The impact of medication therapy management in older oncology patients

Symptom to door interval in febrile neutropenia: perspective in India

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer