This study presents a therapeutic massage protocol to address psychological problems such as depression and anxiety in elderly cancer patients, aiming to support the integration of complementary therapies into comprehensive geriatric oncology care.
A subscription to JoVE is required to view this content. Sign in or start your free trial.
Method Article
Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
* These authors contributed equally
In This Article
Summary
Abstract
Psychological distress, particularly depression and anxiety, is highly prevalent among elderly cancer patients. Such psychological distress has been shown to significantly affect quality of life, treatment adherence, and overall prognosis. Although pharmacological treatments are available, they may increase the risk of adverse effects and drug interactions in older adults. Therefore, safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions tailored to geriatric oncology populations are urgently needed. Traditional Chinese massage (Tui Na), which has historically been used to harmonize the body and mind, may alleviate cancer-related psychosomatic disorders by modulating autonomic nervous system activity and mitigating affective disturbances. This study presents a standardized therapeutic massage protocol applied in elderly cancer patients with clinically diagnosed anxiety and/or depression. The primary outcomes were changes in depression and anxiety, and quality of life was assessed as a secondary outcome. Adverse events were monitored to evaluate safety.
This study demonstrates the application of therapeutic massage as a complementary, non-pharmacological intervention for psychological distress in elderly cancer patients. The findings support the integration of massage therapy into comprehensive geriatric oncology care and suggest a safe and feasible approach to improving mental well-being in this vulnerable population.
Introduction
The progression of malignancies is inextricably linked to biological aging, a key driver of oncogenesis1. Population research demonstrates that seniors (≥ 65 years) represent 54% of incident malignancies globally and contribute disproportionately to 70% of cancer deaths2,3. Elderly cancer cohorts present distinctive clinical dilemmas. Relative to younger counterparts, these patients frequently manifest atypical symptom onset, heightened multimorbidity prevalence, and deficient psychosocial safety nets4,5,
Access restricted. Please log in or start a trial to view this content.
Protocol
This protocol was adopted for a study registered in the International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry under Registration Number: ITMCTR2023000039. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.
1. Research subjects
- Identify elderly cancer patients through daily electronic screening of oncology admissions across participating hospitals.
- Invite eligible patients during routine clinic visits using a standardized recruiter-led script and REDCap checklist.
2. Inclusion criteria
- Enroll patients with a confirmed cancer ....
Access restricted. Please log in or start a trial to view this content.
Results
To verify the practical feasibility and procedural fidelity of the intervention protocol, 13 participants undergoing therapeutic massage were included for representative procedural evaluation during the implementation phase. This intervention involves standardized acupoint manipulation and operator–participant interaction as defined in the protocol. The detailed operational workflow, therapist positioning, acupoint sequence, and manipulation procedures are illustrated in Figure 1
Access restricted. Please log in or start a trial to view this content.
Discussion
The paucity of geriatric-focused clinical trials has hindered comprehensive understanding of cancer-related psychosocial morbidity and therapeutic needs in older adults with malignancies19,20,21. Clinically, affective disorders such as anxiety and depression in this population are frequently misattributed to neoplastic pathophysiology alone, neglecting synergistic interactions with age-specific vulnerabilities. Diagnostic oversi.......
Access restricted. Please log in or start a trial to view this content.
Disclosures
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Acknowledgements
Funding was provided by the Jiangsu Commission of Health (No. LKM2023030); the Jiangsu Health Development Research Center/State Contraceptives Adverse Reaction Surveillance Center (No. JSHD2021008); School of Elderly Care Services and Management/School of Aging Industry, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (No. 2025YLFWYGL018); Jiangsu Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. MS2025003)
....Access restricted. Please log in or start a trial to view this content.
Materials
| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biohazard waste bags (yellow) | Lixinyun Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. | HJ421-2008 | |
| Disposable sterile gloves | Shanghai Kebag Medical Latex Equipment Co., Ltd. | 22010739 | |
| Iodine (povidone-iodine) cotton swabs | Shandog Lircon Medical Technology Co., Ltd. | LEK-DMQ-1 | |
| Opaque sealed envelopes (for randomization) | Nanjig Kogdu Printing Co., Ltd. | 201701 | |
| Statistical analysis software (SPSS) | IBM | SPSS Statistics 22 | |
| Sterile dry cotton balls | Zhende Medical Co., Ltd. | 202203121B | |
| Tuina manipulation parameter measurement system (ZTC-II) | Shanghai Yilin Medical Instrument Development Co., Ltd. | 032030 |
References
- Wang, L., Lankhorst, L., Bernards, R. Exploiting senescence for the treatment of cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 22 (6), 340-355 (2022).
- Sedrak, M. S., et al. Older adult participation in cancer clinical trials: a systematic review of barriers and intervent....
Access restricted. Please log in or start a trial to view this content.
Reprints and Permissions
