Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for Massage Therapy and Port-a-Catheter Insertion

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Trial Identification

Brief Title: Massage Therapy and Port-a-Catheter Insertion

Official Title: Effect of Massage Therapy on Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Pain in Cancer Patients Undergoing Port Implantation

Study ID: NCT00991770

Conditions

Interventions

Massage Therapy

Attention Control

Study Description

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility and efficacy of massage therapy for reducing pre-operative anxiety and post-operative pain among predominantly low income minority cancer patients undergoing surgical placement of a Port-a-Catheter.

Detailed Description: Despite major advances in the understanding of cancer and its treatment, patients continue to suffer greatly. Massage is now included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for the treatment of refractory cancer pain (1), and many cancer patients are turning to massage and other complementary therapies to help alleviate both their psychological and physical symptoms. However, complementary therapies, such as massage, are often unaffordable or unavailable to predominantly low-income cancer patients at safety net hospitals like Boston Medical Center. The vast majority of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy undergo implantation of a permanent central venous access device, often referred to as a port implantation or implanted port. Although the implanted port carries multiple benefits for ease of treatment, after the procedure patients often complain of headaches, muscle stiffness and neck and shoulder pain that lasts for several days. Pain medication is the only therapy commonly offered for this and is often inadequate (2). Furthermore, since this is often the first surgical procedure for cancer patients at the beginning of their treatment, they often have significant levels of pre-procedure anxiety (3,4). Safe, efficacious, and cost-effective interventions that can reduce the anxiety and pain related to port implantation are needed. This pilot study will look at how feasible and effective massage therapy is in reducing pre-operative anxiety and post-operative pain among BMC patients already undergoing surgical placement of an implanted port.