Impacts of Touch massage on the experience of patients with chronic pain: A protocol for a mixed method study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of Touch Massage (TM) as a non-pharmacological intervention for chronic pain patients, focusing on its effects on pain perception, comfort, well-being, and caregiver-patient relationships.
Results Summary
The study expects TM to improve patients' perception of pain management, enhance comfort and well-being, and strengthen caregiver-patient communication. The qualitative part will explore patient and healthcare team satisfaction with the intervention.
Population
Patients suffering from chronic pain.
Effective Dosage
At least 4 sessions spread over two weeks.
Duration
Two weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Touch massage (TM) | increase | relaxation, comfort and well-being | patients suffering from chronic pain | - | can provide | #1 |
Touch massage (TM) | increase | the patients' feelings that their pain is seriously considered | patients suffering from chronic pain | - | is expected to increase | #2 |
Touch massage (TM) | increase | their sense of comfort and well-being | patients suffering from chronic pain | - | should help improve | #3 |
Touch massage (TM) | increase | their quality of life | patients suffering from chronic pain | - | should help improve | #4 |
Touch massage (TM) | increase | the caregiver-patient relationship | - | - | might thus improve | #5 |
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a major public health problem. It affects the quality of life of many patients and their families and compromises physical and social functioning and psychological well-being. Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly being used as a complement to chronic pain care. One of these interventions is Touch massage (TM) that can provide relaxation, comfort and well-being. In addition to its various physiological functions, TM can be used as a social communication tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cluster study with an exploratory qualitative part. Two groups will be considered: the experimental group will benefit from a TM delivered by trained members of care team and the control group will benefit from an intervention of the same duration with a foot massage device. At least 4 sessions will be delivered and spread over two weeks. Sample size calculation showed that 78 participants (39 per group) need to be included. As for the qualitative part, semi-structured interviews will be conducted to investigate the patients' perception of the intervention; focus groups will explore the satisfaction and general perception of the health care teams. EXPECTED RESULTS: Incorporating TM interventions into care planning could bring benefits in supporting patients suffering from chronic pain. TM is expected to increase the patients' feelings that their pain is seriously considered; physical and psychological support should help improve their sense of comfort and well-being and hence their quality of life. This practice might thus improve the caregiver-patient relationship with TM as a providing a new means of establishing communication through touch. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04295603, Registered on March 4, 2020.