The Benefits of Massage Therapy with BMT Patients: Impact on Anxiety, Depression and Pain Symptoms

Abstract

Abstract Summary This poster presentation will detail the implementation and data collection and analysis for massage therapy services provided to BMT patients during their hospital stay at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. The BMT Social Workers sought funding through the hospital foundation to hire an experienced massage therapist to provide massage therapy services for 9 months. A pre- and post-survey was provided to each patient at each massage session. The outcome data shows that patients experienced a decrease in pain, anxiety and depression symptoms. Patients also reported overwhelmingly high satisfaction scores for the massage therapy services they received. This presentation will include recommendations for implementing a massage therapy program in other oncology settings. Abstract Content Research shows that massage therapy can reduce symptoms of pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety and depression in cancer patients. In light of this compelling research, in 2018 the Bone & Marrow Transplant Social Workers at the University of Minnesota Medical Center sought and were rewarded funding from the Fairview Foundation to incorporate massage therapy into the integrative services offered to patients in the BMT Program. In September 2018, a skilled massage therapist, Chandler Yorkhall, BCTMB, was hired and began providing massage therapy and energy work services two days per week to BMT patients on the inpatient unit. The BMT social workers designed a pre- and post-survey to be distributed to patients each time they receive a massage. The surveys consist of evidence-based scales used to measure pain, anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as a Likert scale measuring patient satisfaction and a section for comments. The pre-survey was provided to the patient during the massage therapist's initial assessment before each session. The post-survey was then completed by the patient and placed in a provided envelope in the patient's room and collected by the nurse. Over 400 massage therapy sessions were provided to BMT patients on Unit 5C from September 2018 through May 2019. Of those sessions, 266 pre and post-assessments were completed by 127 BMT patients. 95% of the time, patients were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the massage therapy services they received. Data showed an improvement of depression symptoms by 32.7%, pain reduction by 31% and anxiety reduction 25.5%. The feedback and outcomes for the massage therapy program were overwhelmingly positive. It has proven to be a greatly needed and appreciated service that can have positive impacts for patient experience as well as reduction in patients’ symptoms of pain, anxiety and depression. This presentation will detail the implementation, data collection and analysis for massage therapy services provided. The presentation will also provide recommendations for providing massage therapy services in oncology settings.