Research article

A randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a single session of nurse administered massage for short term relief of chronic non-malignant pain

Kate Seers¹ , Nicola Crichton² , June Martin³ , Katrina Coulson⁴ and Dawn Carroll⁵

¹RCN Research Institute, School of Health & Social Studies, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

²Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, UK

³Lymphoedema Clinic, Sir Michael Sobell House, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK

⁴Pain Management Department, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, London Road, Derby, DE1 2QY, UK

⁵Senior Health Outcomes Manager, Sanofi-aventis, Guildford, Surrey, UK

author email corresponding author email

BMC Nursing 2008, 7:10doi:10.1186/1472-6955-7-10

Published:	4 July 2008

Abstract

Background

Massage is increasingly used to manage chronic pain but its benefit has not been clearly established. The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of a single session of nurse-administered massage for the short term relief of chronic non-malignant pain and anxiety.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial design was used, in which the patients were assigned to a massage or control group. The massage group received a 15 minute manual massage and the control group a 15 minute visit to talk about their pain. Adult patients attending a pain relief unit with a diagnosis of chronic pain whose pain was described as moderate or severe were eligible for the study. An observer blind to the patients' treatment group carried out assessments immediately before (baseline), after treatment and 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours later. Pain was assessed using 100 mm visual analogue scale and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Pain Relief was assessed using a five point verbal rating scale. Anxiety was assessed with the Spielberger short form State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Results

101 patients were randomised and evaluated, 50 in the massage and 51 in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at baseline interview. Patients in the massage but not the control group had significantly less pain compared to baseline immediately after and one hour post treatment. 95% confidence interval for the difference in mean pain reduction at one hour post treatment between the massage and control groups is 5.47 mm to 24.70 mm. Patients in the massage but not the control group had a statistically significant reduction in anxiety compared to baseline immediately after and at 1 hour post treatment.

Conclusion

Massage is effective in the short term for chronic pain of moderate to severe intensity.

Trial Registration

[ISRCTN98406653]