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Impacts of Touch massage on the experience of patients with chronic pain: A protocol for a mixed method study.

Complementary therapies in clinical practice
May 1, 2021
Maria Goreti Da Rocha Rodrigues et al. (8 authors)
Clinical Trial ProtocolJournal ArticleHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

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.

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansChronic PainMassageQuality of LifeTouch
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year0.5
Relative Citation Ratio0.36
NIH Percentile19%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score2.21
Normalized Score0.66
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