Massage Therapy Tested on Cancer Survivors

Designed to Help Offset Extreme Fatigue

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We’ve all heard claims about the healing properties of touch on the human body.

Now, researchers at Emory University in Atlanta are investigating those claims.

They’re testing the benefits of massage therapy on cancer survivors.

“I got a notice in the mail that Emory was offering a trial to see if massage would help with fatigue and so I signed up and said I was interested,” said Cindy Williams, a breast cancer survivor.

She signed up for the study designed to see if massage might help offset extreme fatigue in cancer survivors.

The six week study divides the test subjects into three groups.

One group gets a typical Swedish-type massage.

Another gets no massage and a third group gets what’s referred to as a light touch massage

Throughout the study, researchers check the participants’ vital signs and draw blood to check for immune markers.

“We’re looking for symptoms of fatigue. We also have some measures of general well-being and also about mood symptoms,” said Dr. Mark Hyman Rapaport, Emory University School of Medicine.

The study staff also checks in with each participant to learn about any changes in their life or their health.

So far, the findings are promising.

“Individuals truly feel as if the massage therapy has been helpful for them,” said Dr. Hyman Rapaport.