Massage therapy and polarity therapy, a type of energy work practiced by many massage therapists, have both been indicated in new research to relieve cancer-related fatigue in breast-cancer patients.
Cancer-related fatigue is the most frequently reported side effect of cancer and its treatment, according to an abstract published on www.pubmed.gov.
This study reported on a small, randomized clinical trial designed to collect preliminary data on the efficacy of polarity therapy compared with an active control (massage) and passive control (standard care).
Forty-five women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer were randomized to one of three weekly treatment conditions. Patients received standard clinical care, three modified massages, or three polarity therapy treatments, the abstract noted. Cancer-related fatigue and health-related quality of life were assessed during baseline and the three intervention weeks.
Results show cancer-related fatigue ratings were reduced after polarity therapy and massage therapy.
“Polarity therapy for cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer receiving radiation therapy: a randomized controlled pilot study” is running in Integrative Cancer Therapies.
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