Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:36PM EDT
By Amy Norton
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A combination of acupuncture and massage may help ease pain and depression symptoms after cancer surgery, a new study suggests.
Acupuncture has been shown in many studies to ease pain, and there's growing evidence that it helps quell post-surgery nausea. Massage, meanwhile, has been shown in certain studies to aid cancer patients' anxiety.
Until now, however, no studies have tried combining the two therapies for people undergoing cancer surgery -- a physically and emotionally difficult process.
The new study included 138 patients who were randomly assigned to have either standard post-operative care or standard care plus acupuncture and massage for 2 days following their cancer surgery.
Overall, the study found, patients who received the therapies had a steeper decline in pain over 3 days, as well as fewer symptoms of depression. The findings are published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL15892520070411?feedType=RSS
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