Effect of Guided Meditation and Massage Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Autologous Tissue Reconstruction - A Pilot Study

摘要

Purpose: Massage therapy has been shownto be efficaciousin the postoperative setting and is routinely offered in ourinstitution. The purpose of this study was to explore whethermassage therapy combined with meditation would be moreeffective than massage therapy alone in women recoveringfrom autologous tissue reconstruction after mastectomy forbreast cancer.Methods: Forty women who had undergone mastectomiesfor breast cancer and were scheduled to undergo reconstructionusing autologous tissue were randomized to eithermassage therapy for 20 minutes on postoperative days 1-3 (Group1) or massage therapy (20 minutes) combined withmeditation (an additional 15 minutes) on postoperative days1-3 (Group 2). Type of meditation used included paced breathingwith a DVD for 15 minutes prior to massage and positiveimagery during massage. Outcome measures: Visual AnalogScales for stress, anxiety, relaxation, insomnia, alertness,fatigue, tension, pain, mood, and energy level (scores 0-10)prior to and after intervention on postoperative days 1-3 andat 3 weeks follow-up.Results: Of 40 accrued patients, 19 in each group finishedthe study. The mean age for all patients was 47.7+8.4 yearswith a range from 30 to 63. Preintervention and postinterventionmean total VAS scores assessed during days 1-3 improvedsignificantly in both groups (p < 0.001). However there was nosignificant difference in improvement between the 2 groupsat day 1-3 post op and at 3 weeks follow-up. Satisfaction withthe intervention measured on postoperative day 3 was high(very satisfied + satisfied 84% Group1; 89% in Group2) but notsignificantly different between the 2 groups (p= 0.63).Conclusion: In this pilot study the addition of meditationto already available massage therapy for the postoperativecare of breast cancer patients undergoing autologous tissuereconstruction after mastectomy did not appear to add anymeasurable benefit.