Implementation of a massage therapy program in the home hospice setting.

Introduction As a complementary therapy, massage provides a cost-effective therapeutic tool with low risk if appropriately administered.1 A growing body of research indicates that massage can be an effective therapeutic tool for pain relief and symptom management. For example, a recent study reports the results for a large group of patients with cancer who received massage therapy for pain and symptom control. The authors describe major, clinically relevant, and immediate improvements in self-reported symptoms, such as pain and anxiety among others, following massage. Given that provision of comfort and symptom management is one of the primary goals of hospice care, it would appear that the rationale for using massage with hospice patients also exists. However, the approach a massage therapist takes with a hospice patient may be quite different from the approach a therapist takes with patients with less advanced disease and debility. Some massage techniques may not be appropriate for persons nearing the end of life because they may be too stimulating or disturbing—physically, mentally, or even emotionally. In addition, some patients may have